Two Lancaster professors have been selected to join the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences for their outstanding contributions to research.

It was announced this week that Paul Baker, a Professor of English Language, and Charlie Lewis, a Professor of Family and Developmental Psychology, are among 73 leading UK social scientists who have been conferred the award of Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

They have been elected for their outstanding contributions to research and for their application of social science to policy, education, society and the economy.

The 73 new fellows are recognised and celebrated in their fields for applying their knowledge and expertise across diverse areas of public life and delivering impact to improve social, political and economic wellbeing in the UK and beyond.

Professor Baker’s research involves applications of English language including the analysis of NHS patient feedback, the language of the press, and terrorist materials. His most recent book on Polari, a language used by gay men and fairground people, was a Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year in 2019.

He said: “It is a great honour to be awarded this fellowship and I am grateful to Lancaster University for supporting my research over the last two decades.”

Professor Lewis has a longstanding interest in parenting and the role of the father, more recently focussing his research on how children’s thinking develops within communication.

He said: “Having enjoyed inter-disciplinary social science since I was a postgraduate student I was very surprised and pleased to be informed that I was nominated for this fellowship.”

The Academy’s Fellowship is made up of distinguished individuals from academic, public and private sectors, across the full breadth of the social sciences.

Through leadership, applied research, policymaking and practice, they have helped to address and deepen understanding of some of the toughest challenges facing our society and the world. Their work has contributed to the UK’s position as a global leader in the social sciences.

Professor Roger Goodman, the President of the Academy of Social Sciences, said: “We are extremely proud to welcome 73 new Fellows to the Academy who are so highly accomplished and driving social and economic transformation across societies.

“They have been selected following a robust review by their peers and have been recognised for the excellence of their work and its applications in academia, business and the public sector.

The Academy of Social Sciences is the national academy of academics, learned societies and practitioners in the social sciences. Its mission is to promote social science in the United Kingdom for public benefit. The Campaign for Social Science is an integral part of the Academy.