Murray Leith has lectured at several universities during his career, from Scotland to the USA. He has been at UWS since 2007, and served in a number of roles, including Programme Leader, Head of Division and Assistant Dean. He is currently the Director of CMDCI (Centre for Migration, Diaspora Citizenship & Identity) A strong interdisciplinary scholar, he focuses on Scottish/UK & US politics and society, and has published widely around issues of Scottish/UK politics, nationalism, national identity, diaspora, belonging, migration, veterans, and other contemporary social matters in Scotland, the wider UK, Europe, and the USA.

He regularly engages with media outlets across the world, such as Australia, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Japan, and the United States, speaking on television and radio about contemporary political, social and economic issues. His work has informed newspapers and magazines and he also frequently provides public lectures for charities, trade organisations and consultancy groups on Scotland, the UK, and the United States.

He has published a number of books and academic articles and also authored/co-authored several social insight and action reports for third sector and governmental organisations. He is currently working on a new edited volume on the worldwide Scottish diaspora, as well as working with veteran charities across the UK, as well as working with colleagues on social innovation, productivity, and engagement around issues of identity and digital inclusion.

Recent past projects include a book on contemporary Scottish Politics and Society, the wider Scottish Diaspora, governmental and third sector support and engagement with UK veterans. Other projects he has led on over the last few years include a variety of topics. As Joint Project Co-ordinator he led a consortium of five international partners on an Erasmus+ funded project involving European and National Identity; and a UK Ministry of Defence funded project entitled 'Unforgotten Forces' was a multi-year consideration of Scottish wide welfare services delivery for aged veterans in Scotland. He also led on a commissioned consideration of how Scotland could consider and engage with its worldwide diaspora, published by the Scottish Government in October 2022. This final document heavily influenced the new Scottish Connections Framework policy adopted by the Scottish Government in 2023. 

Nationalism, National Identity, Scottish & British Politics, the contemporary Scottish Diaspora, US Politics and Society,  Social Care and Third Sector Support Organisations and Engagement (especially Veterans), Social Innovation, Educational E-Gaming and Experiential Education.

Scottish Diaspora, Scottish Nationalism & National Identity, Veteran Support & Engagement, Third Sector Engagement and Activity in UK and beyond

Scottish/UK Government, US governmental bodies, third sector organisations in the UK, Europe and the US.

Scottish politics, culture and society,

Identity and Belonging in Contemporary UK and Europe,

Armed Forces Veterans support and engagement

Social Innovation, Public Engagement in Policy/Manufacturing/Private Sector and general public engagement,

United States of America politics, society, policy.