Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy named fellow of prestigious body

The poet, who was born in Gorbals and grew up in Staffordshire, has penned verses on subjects as diverse as the MPs expenses scandal, to the deaths of the final two soldiers from World War One, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch, climate change and Afghanistan.

The body's president, Lord Stern of Brentford said: “Elected from across the UK and world for their distinction in the humanities and social sciences, they represent an unrivalled resource of expertise and knowledge.

“Our fellows play a vital role in the work of the academy: encouraging younger researchers, engaging in public discussion of the great issues and ideas of our time, and contributing to policy reports.

"Their collective work and expertise are testament to why research in the humanities and social sciences is vital for our understanding of the world and humanity.”

Meanwhile a psychology expert at the University of St Andrews is among the new fellows.

Professor Stephen Reicher, Professor of Psychology, focuses on the relationship between social identities and collective mobilisation, with emphasis on topics such as crowd behaviour, nationalism and national identity, leadership and mass social influence, conformity and obedience, and the psychology of tyranny.

He is already a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

He is a former editor of the British Journal of Social Psychology, member of the Governing Council of the International Society of Political Psychology, Vice-President of the International French language society of social psychology and is a scientific consultant to Scientific American Mind.

He has published more than 200 academic articles and chapters, and is the author of nine books. He has also advised the UK and Scottish governments.

Professor Reicher said he was delighted with his fellowship.

Leave a Reply