Brian Lang

Brian Lang is a prominent Scottish social anthropologist and cultural leader, currently serving as a Board Member at National Museums Scotland. Born on December 2, 1945, in Edinburgh, he has had a distinguished career in academia and cultural institutions.

Education and Early Career

Lang studied social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with an MA in 1968. He began his research for a PhD in 1969, which included fieldwork in Kenya. After completing his thesis, he lectured at Aarhus University in Denmark before returning to the UK to work with the Social Science Research Council.

Notable Positions

Lang held several significant roles throughout his career:

• Director of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (1980-1987), where he was instrumental in promoting heritage conservation.
• Director of Public Affairs for the National Trust (1987-1991), focusing on public engagement and heritage advocacy.
• Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of the British Library (1991-2000), overseeing its relocation to a new headquarters at St Pancras and implementing digitization strategies.
• Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews (2001-2008), during which he enhanced the university's reputation and diversity initiatives.

In addition to his role at National Museums Scotland, Lang has chaired various organizations, including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra from 2008 to 2015 and currently serves as Chair of Edinburgh World Heritage.123

Awards and Honors

Lang was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 for his contributions to arts, heritage, and education. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, reflecting his significant impact on cultural and academic fields.23

Lang's extensive experience in heritage management and cultural leadership makes him a vital asset to the National Museums Scotland Board, where he continues to influence the preservation and promotion of Scotland's rich cultural heritage.