The newly elected Fellows include University of Bristol academics Professor Roberta Guerrina, Professor in Politics, and Professor Geraldine Macdonald, Professor of Social Work.

To be selected to become a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, candidates must demonstrate excellence in research and applied professional use of social science, as well as making significant contributions in either industry, policy or higher education.

For example, alongside her academic work, Professor Guerrina is also co-founder of EQUAL In-Sight,  an interdisciplinary project seeking to develop holistic, evidence-based approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion.

She researches the politics of gender, with a particular interest in EU politics, policy-making processes and gender mainstreaming, and holds positions as visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges, co-editor of the Journal of Common Market Studies, and Parliamentary Academic Fellow in the House of Commons.

Professor Guerrina said: “I am deeply honoured to be awarded Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences.  I am also delighted to be awarded the fellowship alongside my co-editors of the Journal of Common Market Studies, especially at a time when the study of European politics, economics and law is key to unpack the challenges of this geo-political moment.

“I am also grateful to all the trailblazers from traditionally under-represented groups who paved the way for a more inclusive academy and research landscape. Their work opened a space for diverse voices to contribute to social sciences and, in so doing, improved our understanding social, political and economic relations. I am looking forward to building on this work and contribute to the work of academy in the future.”

Professor Macdonald’s research at the University of Bristol focuses on developing robust evidence for interventions social care policy and practice. A registered social worker, Professor Macdonald has been a long-standing advocate of the importance of rigorous research in social care and specialises in the evaluation of complex social interventions. She is the National Speciality Lead for Social Care within the NIHR Research Development Network and chairs the Prioritisation Committee for Social Care within the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme.

She was also recently appointed as a Senior Investigator by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Professor Macdonald said: “I am honoured to have been selected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and it is great to see the Academy recognising the value of research within social work and social care.”

The University of Bristol academics were among 64 announced to join the Academy in this cohort, spanning a range of research and practice areas including health inequalities, the gender wage gap, European cybersecurity governance, AI and big data analytics, and the anthropology of Britain.

Will Hutton, President of the Academy, said: “I’m delighted to welcome these 64 outstanding social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship, whose research and practice are helping to develop solutions to pressing societal issues. From informing decision-making around environmental challenges and encouraging entrepreneurial growth to improving planning systems and tackling educational inequalities, their insights, skills and understanding are delivering positive impact to improve our daily lives.” 

The Academy’s Fellowship comprises 1,600 leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors.