A Lancaster University professor has been elected to lead a key British professional society whose primary objective is to promote sociology.

Professor Imogen Tyler from the University’s School of Social Sciences has been elected as Vice President (for 2026) and President Elect (for 2027) of the British Sociological Association (BSA).

Founded in 1951, the BSA is the professional society and national subject group for sociology in the UK.

As both Vice-President and President Professor Tyler will play a central role in representing the discipline at national and international forums.

A Professor of Sociology, she is internationally renowned for her contributions to Social Theory and the Sociology of Inequalities.

Her research on topics such as stigma, social abjection, social (in)justice, activism and social movements, social class, poverty and welfare, race and racisms, borders and citizenship has had global reach.

Professor Tyler’s published research has been widely adopted on university curricula across the world and is highly cited.

She has received many awards and recognitions, including a Lancaster University Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research (2014) and a Philip Leverhulme Prize (2015).

In 2018 she was conferred as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and is a serving council member (elected trustee) of the Academy of Social Sciences (2023-current).

On her election, announced today, Professor Tyler said: “I am delighted and honoured my fellow BSA members have entrusted me with this role.

“I strongly believe that sociology has a pivotal role to play in helping our societies and communities navigate the socio-environmental crisis of late capitalism.

“As the foundational sociologist, W.E.B Du Bois, demonstrated through his life and work, sociology can and does make concrete and positive differences in the world.

“It helps us to identify, address and translate social problems, enables us to evidence and challenge inequalities and injustices and to shape better and more just policies and practices."

Discipline Lead for Sociology at the University’s School of Social Sciences Dr Stanley Blue said: “Professor Tyler’s election to the BSA is an important recognition of her sustained academic leadership in Sociology in the UK and internationally, and of the significance of her research addressing pressing social inequalities and injustices.

“It also underscores the significance and impact of sociological research at Lancaster and its critical and innovative contribution at a time when sociological thinking is as vital as it has ever been.”