Independent policy analysis.
Established in 2018, Murray Blackburn Mackenzie is an independent policy analysis collective, made up of Dr Kath Murray, Dr Lucy Hunter Blackburn and Lisa Mackenzie.
Based in Edinburgh, we have extensive experience in policy-making, research and communications.
Latest analysis
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Why does the Scottish Prison Service hold men convicted of murder in the female prison estate? A policy timeline
Introduction On 3 and 4 February, the Scottish Government is heading to court to defend the Scottish Prison Service’s policy (2023) on the management of transgender prisoners. In a...
26th January 2026
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Statement on the closure of our petition on recording sex accurately in cases of rape
Statement On Wednesday 10 December the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee closed our petition, which called for Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Scottish Court Service to accurately...
12th December 2025
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MBM response to Police Scotland’s evidence on recording sex accurately in cases of rape
“We are pleased that Police Scotland has moved to support our petition, and the wider principle of accurately recording sex across all crime types, as well trans status where...
12th November 2025
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Briefing note: Scottish Parliament public petition on recording sex accurately in cases of rape or attempted rape
Introduction On 2 June 2021 we lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee, ‘calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to require Police Scotland, the Crown...
5th November 2025