Two Lancaster University professors are among 74 ‘outstanding’ social scientists who have become Fellows of a leading body in the field.

Professor of Marketing and Consumer Culture Studies James Cronin and Professor of Applied Linguistics Luke Harding have been welcomed by the Academy of Social Sciences, it was announced today.

Fellows are elected for their contributions which highlight the relevance of the social sciences in understanding and addressing the many societal challenges facing the UK and world today.

Their research and practice areas span a wide range including climate change, food inequalities and ethical issues in global peace and security.

They are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and professions, also making significant contributions beyond academia, including in industry, policy and higher education.

Professor James Cronin is recognised for research that critically examines the influence of culture and ideology on people’s relationships within consumption, markets, and marketing.

By drawing closely on critical social theory, his work shows how popular stories, identities, and shared fantasies both reflect and perpetuate the dominance of consumerism and market-based thinking in society, while also carrying with them the potential for resistance and change.

Professor Cronin has written about consumption-related issues that are central to public health, sustainability, tourism, and leisure economies.

He has collaborated with colleagues at Lancaster University on the UKRI-funded Plastic Packaging in People’s Lives (PPiPL) project and is one of the authors of The Little Book of Plastics in Everyday Life.

Professor Cronin is a Co-Director of the LUMS Centre for Consumption Insights where he encourages conversations on how objects, technologies, spaces, and diverse articulations of consumption shape and are shaped by social relations, identities, and meanings.

Speaking about his election to the Fellowship with the Academy of Social Sciences, he said: “I am delighted to be conferred as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and feel tremendously honoured to join such a distinguished community of scholars across the UK and abroad.

“I have been fortunate to work with inspiring colleagues and co-authors over the years, and I see this Fellowship as an encouragement to continue our collective efforts to explore and address the mounting societal challenges of our time.”

Professor of Applied Linguistics Luke Harding has been at Lancaster University for more than 15 years.

His research focuses on language testing and assessment: exploring the design and evaluation of tests of second language proficiency for educational and professional purposes, and the role that such tests play in society. His work often focuses on listening and speaking ability.

Specifically, in his research, Professor Harding has encouraged a ‘Global Englishes’ perspective in language testing, recognising and valuing the wide range of English language accents and varieties in test materials.

Professor Harding has also co-developed models of diagnostic language assessment, and of ‘assessment literacy’ for different groups of test users. More recently, he has focused on issues around the use of artificial intelligence in language assessment.

His work has led to international impact, including the development of new national English language tests for ministries of education in Luxembourg and Austria, advisory work with the British Council, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and Educational Testing Service (ETS), and a recent appointment as Chair of the Committee on Assessment and Evaluation for the Sri Lankan Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

Professor Harding previously served as co-editor-in-chief of the international journal Language Testing and is currently serving a two-year term as President of the International Language Testing Association (ILTA). He is the Discipline Lead for Linguistics and English Language in the School of Social Sciences.

Speaking about the Fellowship, he said: “It was a great honour to be nominated by the United Kingdom Association for Language Testing and Assessment (UKALTA), and to be elected as a Fellow by the Academy of Social Sciences.

“My research and impact work at Lancaster has always been a team effort, and I would like to thank all my colleagues and collaborators in Linguistics and English Language, and in the wider School of Social Sciences, for their support.”

The 74 new Fellows have been elected from 39 UK organisations, comprising 35 Higher Education Institutions, as well as think tanks, non-profits, civil service, and from countries beyond the UK including Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland and Ireland.

President of the Academy Will Hutton said: “I’m delighted to welcome these leading social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship this spring.”

He added: “We look forward to working with them to further promote the important role the social sciences play in our daily lives.”