Professor Simon Lightfoot elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences
We’re delighted to announce that Professor Simon Lightfoot has been named a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social sciences.
Professor Simon Lightfoot, Professor of Politics in the School of Politics and International Studies, has been announced as one of the outstanding social scientists the Academy of Social Sciences welcomed to its Fellowship in its autumn 2026 cohort.
Professor Lightfoot will join the Academy’s distinguished Fellowship, which comprises 1,750 leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors. All Academy Fellows are elected through independent peer review for the excellence of their work and their outstanding contribution to the social sciences. The Fellows’ expertise covers the breadth of social science disciplines, and their practice and research helps address some of the major challenges facing communities, society, places and economies.
In announcing the 78 new Fellows, President of the Academy, Will Hutton FAcSS, said:
Our newest Fellows represent some of the most influential voices in social science today. Their work is expanding knowledge, challenging assumptions and generating insights that are informing and even redefining decision making across government, business, education and civil society. I am delighted to welcome them to the Academy and look forward to working with them to raise the profile and impact of the social sciences across the UK and beyond.
Professor Simon Lightfoot is an expert in international development policy, with research focusing on UK development aid policy, development policy in Central and Eastern Europe, and EU development policy. He is also widely recognised for excellence in learning and teaching in Politics and International Relations within higher education. An award-winning educator, he received the Political Studies Association's Bernard Crick Prize for Outstanding Teaching in 2009 and was named a National Teaching Fellow in 2013.
On becoming a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Simon Lightfoot has said:
To be recognised by my peers for my contributions to research and teaching over the years is a true honour. I am especially proud because I have always seen myself first and foremost as a social scientist from my first degree in social sciences to my work today. The social sciences are vital in helping us understand and tackle contemporary global challenges and I am delighted to be joining this prestigious community that advocates for the importances of social sciences.
Connect with the School of Politics and International Studies on LinkedIn and Bluesky to keep up to date with the latest news from the school.
