UCL academics join British Academy’s fellowship and governing body

The British Academy, founded in 1902, is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, and brings together over 1,600 leading minds in these subjects from the UK and overseas. It is also a funding body for national and international research, as well as a forum for debate and engagement.

The Council is the governing body of the British Academy and is made up of 15 ordinary members, as well as the President and Vice-Presidents.

Professor Li Wei has been IOE’s Director and Dean since July 2021. He is a world-leading scholar in the field of applied linguistics and language education. His work explores language socialisation and intergenerational communication, the development and education of bilingual and multilingual children, and the cognitive and socio-cultural impact of learning multiple languages.

Professor Li Wei said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to the Academy’s governing council, and look forward to advancing the learned society’s work in support of the SHAPE disciplines and their contribution to societal wellbeing. I am equally delighted that the work of my IOE colleague, Professor Louise Archer, has been recognised through fellowship of the British Academy.

“Among many other profound contributions to education, Louise’s concept of ‘science capital’ has transformed how policy makers, teachers and science museums and centres alike think about STEM education, to the benefit of countless young people.  Her work provides an exemplar of research-informed innovation in education, in support of both inclusion and excellence.”

Professor Louise Archer (IOE) leads the STEM Participation and Social Justice research group, which aims to make STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) more inclusive, accessible and equitable for all young people. Its research projects range from working with primary school teachers in developing a “science capital” teaching approach that helps children find more meaning and relevance in science subjects, to a longitudinal research project (ASPIRES) following young people’s career aspirations from age 10 to 23.

Professor Archer said: "I am delighted and honoured to be elected as a fellow of the British Academy. I want to thank and recognise all our wonderful team members, policy and practice partners and the young people who contribute to the success and impact of our research - research is always a team effort!"

Professor Wendy Carlin (UCL Economics) leads the global CORE Econ project, which is transforming the teaching of undergraduate economics around the world. This initiative brings to the classroom advances in economic theory and empirical methods and shows their relevance to pressing problems such as inequality and the climate crisis. She is also co-director of UCL’s Stone Centre which promotes research and teaching on the causes of wealth inequality and its economic and political consequences. She is a member of the Expert Advisory Panel of the UK's Office for Budget Responsibility.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be elected as an FBA – I see this as recognition of the synergy between my research on the economics of institutions and how it can be applied to develop new ways of teaching economics.”

Professor Philippe Sands (UCL Laws), who has been made an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy, has devoted the last decade to bringing issues of international law into the mainstream, going beyond writing into film, radio, podcasts and music projects. His book East West Street, on the origins of genocide and crimes against humanity is translated into more than 30 languages. His recent proposal for a special criminal tribunal for the crime of aggression in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year has been taken up by Ukraine and is supported by governments and international organisations including Britain, France, the United States and the European Commission.

Professor Sands said: “I am deeply honoured by the election, which reflects in very considerable part the incredible support from my fabulous colleagues at UCL, not least for some of my less traditional approaches to the development and dissemination of ideas and scholarship. Much appreciation and respect to UCL!”

The UCL academics are among 86 new British Academy Fellows to have been elected this year, showcasing the breadth and depth of humanities and social sciences research.

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), said: “Social sciences, arts and humanities are key to research and innovation in the UK. They help us to understand the world around us and they improve the societies we live in. Professor Li Wei and the new Fellows have had an outstanding impact on their fields and on the wider world and I’d like to congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition of their work.”

Professor Julia Black, President of the British Academy, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome yet another outstanding cohort to the Academy’s Fellowship. The scope of research and expertise on display across our newly elected UK, Corresponding and Honorary Fellows shows the breadth and depth of knowledge and insight held by the British Academy and which we work hard to harness to help shape the world.

"With the vast expertise and wide-ranging insights brought by our new Fellows, the Academy continues to showcase the importance of the SHAPE disciplines [Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy] in opening fresh seams of knowledge and understanding, while simultaneously advancing the well-being and prosperity of societies worldwide. I wholeheartedly congratulate each of our new Fellows on this achievement and look forward to working together."

Links

• British Academy announcement
• Professor Li Wei’s academic profile
• Professor Louise Archer’s academic profile
• Professor Wendy Carlin’s academic profile
• Professor Philippe Sands’s academic profile
• IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society
• UCL Laws
• UCL Economics
• UCL Social & Historical Sciences

Image

• From left to right: Professors Louise Archer, Li Wei, Philippe Sands and Wendy Carlin

Media contact

Mark Greaves

E: m.greaves [at] ucl.ac.uk