A Lancaster University professor and Faculty Dean has been honoured for his contribution to the world of social sciences.

Professor Edward Simpson, the Executive Dean of Lancaster University’s Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, joins an ‘impressive range of 63 leading social scientists’ who have been conferred the award of Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences this year.

Elected for their substantial contributions to social science in a range of areas including educational inequalities, place-based economic development, human rights protection, the regulation of new technologies, and welfare reform, the Academy of Social Sciences says this autumn’s cohort of Fellows highlight the importance, breadth and relevance of the social sciences to tackling the varied challenges facing society today.

As well as excellence in research and professional applications of social science, the Academy says its new Fellows, who are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and professions, have also made significant contributions beyond the academy, including to industry, policy and higher education.

President of the Academy, Will Hutton, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome these 63 leading social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship. Their research and practical applications have made substantial contributions to social science and wider society in a range of areas from international trade policy and inclusive planning systems through to innovative entrepreneurship and governing digital technologies. We look forward to working with them to promote further the vital role the social sciences play in all areas of our lives.”

Professor Simpson came to Lancaster University in 2023 having previously worked as Head of College at SOAS University of London and, prior to that, he held positions at Goldsmiths College and London School of Economics.

As an anthropologist he has a strong interest in people – or as he (simply) puts it ‘what we claim and do to each other’.

Research-wise, he has a long-standing interest in South Asia, has conducted many years of research in western India and, more recently, in infrastructure and environmental questions in the north west of England.

He has written three monographs, edited four collections of essays, and written more than 40 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

He is strongly committed to the University as a place of learning, critical exploration and ideas that works in partnership with the region and he has recently overseen the reshaping of the University’s Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences into four new Schools encompassing 18 subject disciplines.

Professor Simpson said: “I am delighted to be elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. UK social science is world-leading and a tangible a national asset that addresses global challenges and local issues. Social Sciences are key to understanding our contemporary human world.”

The Academy’s Fellowship comprises 1,700 leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors. Fellows’ expertise covers the breadth of the social sciences, and their practice and research helps to understand and address some of the major challenges facing communities, society, places and economies.

All Academy Fellows are elected for their excellence in their fields and their substantial contributions to social science for public benefit. Selection is through an independent peer review which recognises their excellence and impact.