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Contents

Latest News
Policy and Research
Campaign for Social Science
Fellows' News
Member Societies' News
Events

Academy refreshes careers in social science webpages

As part of our work towards sustaining the pipeline of diverse social science talent, we’ve refreshed our careers in social science webpages to help promote the skills, knowledge and diversity of careers available through studying social science at school and beyond.

A suite of new I'm a social scientist profiles, featuring written and video interviews with professional social scientists working in a range of roles across a number of sectors, discussing their career paths, what inspires them about their work and their advice for anyone wanting to study or pursue their own career with social science, have also been published.

Please do share the webpages and profiles with those in your networks who might find them useful. If you know of former students or colleagues with a background in social science and at least 10 years into their careers in the public, private or third sectors and whom you think would make a great profile, please get in touch with our Senior Communications Manager, Amy, at a.williams@acss.org.uk. 

Register now: How to address inequalities as part of ‘good growth’

26 February 2025 12.30pm-13.30pm, online

In this webinar, chaired by Professor Bobby Duffy FAcSS, experts from different strands of the social sciences offer their perspectives, based on research evidence, for how the new UK Government might seek to balance its economic priorities against large and growing inequalities across society. This will be followed by a response from Paul Johnson CBE FAcSS, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The speakers are:

• Professor Heejung Chung, Professor of Work and Employment, King's College London / Director for the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
• Professor Matthew Johnson FAcSS, Professor of Public Policy, Northumbria University
  
• Professor Katherine Smith FAcSS, Professor of Public Health Policy, University of Strathclyde
  

This will be the first of several events throughout the year examining the theme of ‘good growth’ from different standpoints as part of the Campaign for Social Science’s forthcoming project on that topic. See the Campaign for Social Science section below for more details about the Campaign’s Good Growth project.

Guests on the show so far this season have included:

• Professor Anand Menon discussing the state of international relations and evolving voting patterns among British ethnic minorities.
• Professor Anthony Elliott FAcSS exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on personal identities and societal structures.
• Sir Robert Chote FAcSS discussing the significance of independent public institutions for monetary policy and the role and challenges of the Office Budget Responsibility. 

There's plenty more to come this season with guests including Professor Brendan Burchell, Professor Clare Kelliher FAcSS, Professor Jane Monckton-Smith, Professor Lee Elliott Major FAcSS and Director General of the World Trade Organisation Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Follow us on social media to get the latest updates and subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Aimed at non-specialist audiences and seeking to raise awareness of the social sciences and their contributions, do please share it with anyone whom you think might be interested. 

REF 2029 news

Open recrutiment for the REF 2029 panels and sub-panels remains open, with the closing date for REF 2029 Sub-panel chair and deputy chair roles being midday 6 February 2025. The closing date for Sub-panel member roles and other panel expert roles is midday 28 April 2025.

REF 2029 encourages suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply and they are keen to hear from individuals who can bring unique perspectives to the panels, including experiences beyond academia and those with an understanding of diverse research practices, outputs, impacts and engagement practice.

As an Academy, we encourage social scientists, especially Fellows, with relevant expertise to apply for positions in Panel C and its sub-panels. 

We are taking a positive, pro-active role in engaging with the REF 2029 team on behalf of the social sciences and in helping to make the case, with our learned society members, for the REF team to make use of the independent discipline-based expertise that sits within the learned societies. We were pleased to be included on the selection panel for the Panel C Chair.

More information about all of the roles, including criteria and how to apply is available on the REF 2029 website.

REF 2029 have also published guidance on the People, Culture and Environment pilot and on volume measure and code of practice.

Join us on Bluesky

Did you know the Academy of Social Sciences is now on Bluesky?

Follow us to stay in the loop, tag us in your posts so we know what you’re up to and like, share and comment on our posts to help spread the word of the impact the social sciences have on our communities, societies and the world. We look forward to seeing you there.

EDICa: call for participants and interviews

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus (EDICa) have a number of calls for participants for various surveys they are involved with.

• Call for interviews discussing the impact Covid-19 had on careers. Find out more.
• Call for survey participants who are either an Early Career Academic (ECA), an ECA researcher manager, or a business school leader based in the UK, who can provide key information on the lived experiences and support provided to ECAs during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Find out more.
• Call for principal investigators/managers in UK academia who manage neurodivergent colleagues. Contact l.biermann@hw.ac.uk
• Call for UK funding assessment panel members to share their experiences: contact edicaucus@hw.ac.uk

Policy update

Amidst the pre-Christmas rush, you might have been forgiven for missing the release of the UK Government’s plans for further devolution in England – but within the white paper are significant developments. Metro mayors will be given authority to attract international investment, including collaborating with UKRI and Innovate UK – meaning big opportunities for universities who can position themselves as able and willing partners. 

Other recent news has seen significant developments in plans for REF2029, with panel chairs being named and pilot guidance being launched for a pilot on the long-discussed People, Culture & Environment component. And there has also been a surprise shift on the (previously paused) Freedom of Speech (HE) Act, with the new UK Labour Government allowing it to progress – with some key changes along the way. 

Coming soon: New Campaign hub on ‘good growth’

Throughout 2025, the Campaign will be engaged in a project exploring the theme of ‘good growth’, including launching a new online hub later this month. The project will showcase research and insights from the social sciences to offer informed perspectives on how the UK might best address its challenges around growth and productivity – but also how this should be balanced against other competing policy priorities.

Since the financial crisis of 2007-2009 the UK’s economic growth has been slow, with the nation languishing in the lower half of the OECD rankings on productivity. The UK also has high levels of inequality in terms of wealth, income and opportunity when compared to its OECD peers. These challenges are in many ways linked but tackling them is no straightforward task. Our Good Growth project will explore research and practice-informed ideas which might make it possible for the UK to achieve growth that is fair, inclusive, carefully targeted, and environmentally sustainable.

If you and/or your colleagues are interested in submitting an evidence-led comment piece for the new hub on Good Growth, or indeed for any of our existing hubs, please contact Steve Grundy, Senior Campaign Manager, at s.grundy@acss.org.uk to discuss your idea.

Support our Good Growth project by having your say on wealth inequality research

During 2025 the Campaign will be working with the Fairness Foundation as part of our project on Good Growth. We will be exploring the links between high levels of wealth inequality and low levels of economic growth. We’ll be showcasing the research evidence that already exists as well as seeking to highlight where more research might be needed on this topic.

Academics with a personal or professional interest in this topic might like to explore the Fairness Foundation’s Wealth Gap Risk Register, which collates evidence about the impacts of wealth inequality in the UK, including highlighting the ways in which it undermines economic growth, how to reduce it and mitigate its impacts, and public attitudes to all of this. You can also have your say and share your views with the Fairness Foundation, including letting them know about any research evidence they might have missed in their register. This will inform some of the work we plan to be doing later in the year with the Fairness Foundation.

Watch now: How AI shapes human morality

The Campaign will be working in partnership with the UK Evaluation Society and the Social Research Association in 2025 to present a series of webinars on different aspects of the use and evaluation of AI.

In the first webinar of the 2025 series, Professor Iyad Rahwan, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, discussed behavioural experiments that explore how AI can influence human morality, from providing novel moral affordances in domains previously impervious to ethics, to changing the way people frame moral choices. Professor Rahwan also introduced the concept of science-fiction science: behavioural experiments that anticipate the behavioural impacts of novel technologies before their wide-spread adoption. The recording is now available to watch online.

Read now: Beyond the ballot: social science insights on eight key policy challenges

Published in November last year, this report draws from contributions to our Election 24 project to showcase a breadth of social science-based research, ideas and evidence relevant to addressing some of the country’s political and social challenges, many of which are relevant to the UK Government’s policy agenda. In case you haven’t already, you can download it now.

Professor Frances Bowen FAcSS announced as next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex

The University of Essex has announced that Academy Fellow Professor Frances Bowen FAcSS is to become the university’s new Vice-Chancellor from August 2025. Frances is internationally recognised for her work in corporate environmental strategy and has extensive experience of leadership roles in research-intensive universities. She joins Essex from Queen Mary University of London, where she is Vice-Principal and Executive Dean for Humanities and Social Sciences.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli FAcSS elected next President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli FAcSS has been elected as the 48th President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). An economist, Sir Anton has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow since 2009. He will take over the role as President of the RSE on 1 April 2025.

Obituary: Professor Lorna Unwin FAcSS

The Academy was sad to hear the news of the recent death of Professor Lorna Unwin FAcSS. Lorna was appointed Chair in Vocational Education at the Institute of Education (IOE) in 2006 and became Professor Emerita in October 2013 when she retired from her full-time post. Prior to joining the IOE, Lorna was Professor of Vocational Education and Director of the Centre for Labour Market Studies at the University of Leicester. She was an Honorary Fellow of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). Our condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues who worked with her during the course of her distinguished career. You can read an appreciation on the NIESR website here.

New books by FAcSS

• Integrity: The Rise of a Distinctive Western Idea and Its Destiny, Albrow, M. (2024) Polity
• International Cooperation When Mistrust Deepens, Perri 6, and Heims, E. (2024) Oxford University Press. We have been advised that the following promotion code will provide a 30% discount when ordering through OUP: ASFLYQ6
• Thinking Through Family. Narratives of Care Experienced Lives, Boddy, J. with Hanrahan, F. and Wheeler, B. (2023) Bristol University Press
• Social Science: A Very Short Introduction, Betts, A. (2024) Oxford University Press
• Rethinking rural studies, Brown, D. and Shucksmith, M. (2024) Elgar
• New Perspectives on Intergovernmental Relations: Crisis and Reform, Kuhlmann, S., Laffin, M., Wayenberg, E. and Bergstrom, T. (eds) (2024) Palgrave Macmillan Cham
• The Sociology of Emotions. Feminist, Cultural and Sociological Perspectives, Brooks, A. (2024) Bristol University Press
• Creating Empowering Environments for People with Dementia, Charras, K., Hogervorst, E., Wallcook, S., Kuliga, S. and Woods, B. (eds) (2024) Routledge
• Volunteering in the UK: the spirit of service, Mohan, J. (2024) Manchester University Press
• Criminal Psychology in Action: A Project Based Approach, Canter. D (2004) Routledge
• Pandemic Societies: A Critical Public Health Perspective, Petersen, A. (2024) Bristol University Press
• The New Governance of Religious Diversity, Modood, T. and Sealy, T. (2024) Polity Books
• The Resilience of Multiculturalism: Ideas, Politics, Practice, Sealy, T., Uberoi, V. and Meer, N. (2024) Edinburgh University Press
• The Handbook of Creative Data Analysis, edited by Kara, H., Mannay, D. and Roy, A. (2024) Bristol University Press
• Contesting the World: Norm Research in Theory and Practice, Orchard, P. and Wiener, A. eds (2024) Cambridge University Press
• Trade Unions and the British Industrial Relations Crisis: An Intellectual Biography of Hugh Clegg, Ackers, P. (2024) Routledge
• Intellectual leadership, higher education and precarious times, Fitzgerald, T., Gunter, H.M., and Nixon, J. (Eds.) (2024) London: Bloomsbury
• Critical Education Policy and Leadership Studies: The Intellectual Contributions of Helen M. Gunter, Fitzgerald, T. and Courtney, S.J. (Eds.) (2023) Cham, Switzerland: Springer (A festschrift of Professor Helen Gunter FAcSS’ work).
• Everyday Eating: food, taste and trends in Britain since the 1950s, Warde, A. (2024) Bristol University Press
• Development, Education and Learning in Sri Lanka: An international research journey, Little, A. (2024) UCL Press
  

If you are an Academy Fellow and have a new book you would like included in these listings, please email us with a link to your publication at media@acss.org.uk

BAFA news

Registration for the British Accounting and Finance Association’s (BAFA) Annual Conference with Doctoral Masterclasses 2025 is now open. This year the conference will be held at Ulster University, Belfast, between 15-17 April 2025, with the keynote speakers including Professor Lisa Jack (University of Portsmouth), winner of the 2023 BAFA Distinguished Academic Award. Find out more.  

The call for papers for the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) Accounting Education (SIG) 2025 Annual Conference, being held at Dublin City University on 21–23 May 2025, is still open. The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2025. Find out more.

BAM news

The call for papers for BAM2025, taking place between 1-5 September 2025 at the University of Kent, is open. The theme of the conference is “On the Border: Management Challenges, Business Opportunities and Disrupted Institutional Contexts”. The deadline for paper submissions is 28 February 2025. Find out more.

The British Academy of Management has also recently published its BAM MKE White paper 'Education-focused careers within UK Business-Management Schools: The perspectives of their Deans'. Find out more.

The call for market place topics for the BAM Management Knowledge and Education (MKE) Teaching Practice Conference 2025, taking place on 5 June 2025 in London, is open. The theme of the conference is 'Innovating Management Education for a Sustainable and Responsible Future' and the deadline for submissions is Monday 14 April 2025. Find out more.

BAM is also calling for participants for its Becoming a Research-Oriented Professor Programme (ROP) 2025, taking place on 11 April (Birmingham) and 13 June (London), and its Becoming an Education-Focussed Professor Programme (EFP) 2025, taking place at various locations throughout the UK this year.

BERA news

The call for abstracts for the British Educational Research Association (BERA)’s forthcoming ‘The ECR Journey: Beyond Publish or Perish: Cultivating Excellence in Scholarly Publishing’ forum being held in June is open. The deadline for abstract submissions is 10 February 2025. Find out more.

BERA has also announced the successful recipients of the Neurodiversity in Mainstream Schools Grant Programme, funded by the Kusuma Trust. The initiative supports innovative research aimed at improving the school experience and academic attainment of neurodivergent young people. Find out more.

As part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, BERA has collected together a set of 50 landmark studies that have had a significant impact on educational policy, educational practice, research methodology and/or educational theory over the past 50 years. Find out more.

BERA is pleased to announce the relaunch of the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Special Interest Group (SIG) discussion boards. These online forums are designed to foster vibrant, professional conversations and provide a space for members to share ideas, insights, and questions with like-minded peers. Find out more.

BISA annual prizes open for nominations

Nominations are open for all of the British International Studies Association (BISA) annual prizes until 10 February 2025. There are prizes for books, research, teaching, EDI, distinguished contribution, working group of the year and more. Take a moment to reflect on the incredible individuals you know in the International Studies community (broadly defined). Do you have a colleague, friend, or mentor who deserves to be celebrated? Nominate them! Find out more and make your nominations.

Call for sessions and strands: BSPS 2025 Annual Conference

The British Society for Population Studies (BSPS) welcomes suggestions and proposals for inclusive sessions and strands for their 2025 Annual Conference being held at Swansea University between 2 – 4 September 2025. BSPS welcomes sessions aimed at early-career researchers or other constituencies where BSPS can widen understanding of and participation in population studies, such as local authorities, NGOs and policymakers. Please submit suggestions by the end of Wednesday 5 February 2025. Find out more.

Call for presentations: Social Research Association’s 2025 Annual Conference

The call for presentations for the Social Research Association’s 2025 Annual Conference taking place on 9 July 2025 in London is now open. Theme suggestions for the 20-minute presentations include AI and social research, innovation in design, insight and behavioural science, rapid response research and partnerships that deliver impact, amongst others. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 14 February 2025. Find out more on the SRA’s website.

DSA news

Academic freedom and the IHRA definition: In this blog, DSA members discuss three clusters of critiques in relation to the risk the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism poses to scholars and practitioners in the field of development. Read now.

Database of decolonising initiatives: the DSA database of decolonisation initiatives holds more than 50 examples of academics and researchers taking diverse approaches. Find out more, submit your initiative and browse the directory.

Registration open: Economic History Society Annual Conference 2025

Registration is now open for the Economic History Society’s Annual Conference 2025. The 2025 Conference will take place between 4 – 6 April 2025 in the Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Find out more.

PSA launches its new strategy

The Political Studies Association has launched its new strategic plan for 2025-2028. It’s available to view on the PSA website.

Interview with new RSS President, Professor Sir John Aston

With the commencement of his presidency in January 2025, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) have interviewed their new President, Professor Sir John Aston, about his career to date, views as a statistician and his aspirations for the next two years. Find out more.

Call for expressions of interest: SLSA workshop

The call for expressions of interest for the Socio-Legal Studies Association workshop, ‘Legal perspectives on climate reparations’, is open. The workshop is the second in a three-part series that seeks interdisciplinary perspectives on climate reparations and will focus on producing an interdisciplinary legal analysis of Article 8 of the Paris Agreement, the provision focused on addressing ‘loss and damage’ resulting from climate change. Submissions should be made by 10 February 2025. Find out more.

SRHE news

The Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE)’s 2025 International Research Conference will take place on Friday 28 November (online) and 2 - 4 December (in person at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, UK). The Call for Papers (opening soon) will invite higher education researchers, practitioners, and postgraduate students to reflect on the theme: Compassion, collegiality and communities in higher education: Challenging the Discourse. Find out more.

SRHE invites applications from Newer Researchers to submit a research proposal for a small scale project. There are up to three awards of £3,000 available for a project of one year’s duration. Entry is open to all and is not restricted to current SRHE Members. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2025. These awards are jointly sponsored by SRHE and Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. Find out more, including how to apply.

You can find out more about the Academy's forthcoming events in the items above.