Speaker biographies:

Cherie Morgan, Director of Projects, Play Scotland

Cherie is Director of Projects at Play Scotland.  Her role is to work with partners to develop and lead projects that will improve children’s opportunities for play in their local community, with a focus on co-creation and action research. Cherie has delivered training throughout Scotland, and worked with the Care Inspectorate with many of their best practice resources.

Cherie led on the first two Play Sufficiency Assessments undertaken in Scotland and is currently developing guidance for the sector. As a partner in the development of the Place Standard tools for children and for young people, she has wide expertise in engaging with children and young people to ensure their views are taken into account when developing plans.

Previously, Cherie was the Strategic Play Development Worker with Aberdeen Play Forum and was lead officer on a community capacity building project in a regeneration area in Aberdeen, the “Seaton Backies” project which saw huge success in the community taking ownership and improving their own play spaces.

Before that Cherie worked for Children 1st and Aberdeen College in roles that involved supporting parents and training.  Cherie is very interested in the learning and development of children through play; however, she is very keen to advocate for play as vital to children’s positive mental health and wellbeing.  Cherie has qualifications in childcare and education, and holds a BA in Childhood Practice, and has recently completed a degree in Business Management.

Calum Duncan, Board Member, Play Scotland & Director, Calum Duncan Architects

Calum runs an architect's practice, CDAL, in Edinburgh, working across Scotland on residential, educational, and community-related projects. The practice is passionate about reimagining buildings and spaces to meet users' needs and provide energy-efficient design proposals that are distinctive in character.

Calum has worked on several award-winning buildings, including 4 RIBA award-winners. He was the lead design and project architect for the Edinburgh Climate Change Centre, the first refurbished and listed building to achieve BREEAM Outstanding.

Calum is RIBA Conservation accredited, RIAS Sustainability accredited and is an accredited Passivhaus designer.

Calum sits on the RIBA Council representing South Scotland and on the RIBA Climate Action Expert Advisory Group and RIAS Carbon Working Group.

Calum coordinates Archischools, a project that aims to empower and engage young people in understanding and changing the built environment.