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Meet Frazer Macdonald Hay: Founder of Uniform November
Frazer Macdonald Hay is the founder of Uniform November and a specialist in working with difficult memories and places to foster social cohesion and support peacebuilding efforts. With extensive experience across conflict and post-conflict regions, Frazer is dedicated to creating meaningful solutions that address trauma, rebuild communities, and enhance resilience.
A Journey Defined by Service and Collaboration
Frazer's early career began with three years in the Royal Air Force and six years in the Fire and Rescue Service, where he honed invaluable skills in collaboration, project assessment, risk mitigation, and team development. These foundational experiences ignited his passion for working with people and building resilient communities.
Architectural and Academic Excellence
His architectural journey includes contributing to the design and construction of the Scottish Parliament building with EMBT RMJM Architects. Frazer's expertise extends into academia, where he served as the Founding Director of the Glasgow School of Art Singapore and lectured at universities in Norway, Scotland, England, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and India.
Global Peacebuilding Initiatives
Frazer has led peacebuilding and design projects across the globe, including in Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Northern Ireland, and several African countries. His work with the UN in Iraq focused on addressing Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) issues, and he recently completed a Japanese government-funded project facilitated by IOM. This initiative involved field assessments, programming development, and training IOM staff on memorialization approaches that support trauma recovery and promote social cohesion.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Frazer's extensive client list includes global and local organizations such as the United Nations, The HALO Trust, ICCROM, The British Council, The University of Edinburgh, St Andrews University, Orkney Council, North Berwick Harbour Trust, and numerous NGOs and educational institutions across Europe and Southeast Asia.
Academic and Professional Credentials
Frazer holds a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from St Andrews University and a Master's in Architectural Conservation from The University of Edinburgh. He has returned to The University of Edinburgh to pursue a PhD at the School of Politics and International Relations. Frazer is also an active member of the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Architecture and the Built Environment (CPG), where he contributes to socio-economic projects focused on the adaptive reuse of buildings.
Certifications include Advanced Security in the Field (UNDSS 2017), Mediation (2019), Handling Difficult Colleagues and Clients (2013), Southeast Asia Contemporary Culture (2012), and a PGCERT in Higher Education (2005).
Current Projects and Vision
Frazer's latest commission is the design and oversight of an urban park project in Mosul’s West Old Town. This collaboration between The HALO Trust, UNMAS, and Al-Ghad focuses on explosive hazard risk mitigation and education to promote safer behaviors among the affected population.
Frazer's commitment to using architecture and place as tools for healing and transformation continues to shape his work and inspire his contributions to communities around the world.