Professor Gayle McPherson holds a Chair in Events and Cultural Policy and is the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation for the School of Business and Creative Industries at UWS. Until recently she was the Director of the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events that she formed in 2018. Her research interests revolve around the interventions of the local and national state and wider agencies in events and festivity of all types. She is particularly interested in sport and cultural events aiding inclusion for marginalised groups with a particular focus on disability rights.  She is currently leading research on the Commonwealth Games 2026 on social legacy of the Games. She has acted as an expert advisor to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and British Council contributing to their International Development Strategy and Soft Power Council reports. She is the Director of Legacy and Community Engagement on the Board of Commonwealth Games Scotland and is a member of the British Council Scottish Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Glasgow Strategy Industry Forum and the Social Impact sub-group for UEFA World Cup 2028.