Celebrating Professor Phil Scraton’s Election to the Academy of Social Sciences
We are thrilled to congratulate Professor Phil Scraton, Professor Emeritus in the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast, on his well-deserved election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences.
We are thrilled to congratulate Professor Phil Scraton, Professor Emeritus in the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast, on his well-deserved election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences. This prestigious accolade recognises his outstanding contributions to social science, particularly in critical criminology, and his tireless advocacy for social justice. The Academy highlights that this honour reflects ‘excellence in research and professional applications of social science’, acknowledging ‘the importance, breadth and relevance of the social sciences to tackling the varied challenges facing society today’.
Professor Scraton’s election comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with an important milestone in his decades-long work on the Hillsborough disaster. His relentless research and activism have been significant in the UK Government’s recent decision to introduce the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, widely known as the ‘Hillsborough Law’. This groundbreaking legislation establishes a statutory duty of candour for public authorities and ensures ‘equality of arms’ in funding legal representation for victims and families, addressing systemic failures exposed by the Hillsborough tragedy. Scraton’s work has not only reshaped public understanding of the 1989 disaster, which claimed 97 lives, but also set a precedent for accountability and justice in public inquiries.
Commenting on his Fellowship, Professor Scraton stated: “Proposed by colleagues in Liverpool, it is an honour to receive the fellowship in recognition of the impact of my scholarship and teaching; most significantly, as an academic activist for my critical social research alongside individual and community campaigns for social justice and societal change.” This recognition not only celebrates his academic excellence but also his role as an “academic activist,” bridging rigorous research with real-world impact.
The Academy of Social Sciences Fellowship, now comprising 1,700 leading social scientists, honours individuals who have made substantial contributions to understanding and addressing societal challenges. Professor Scraton’s election, alongside 62 other distinguished scholars from 39 organisations, underscores the vital role of social sciences in shaping a more just and equitable future.
We invite our university community to join us in celebrating Professor Scraton’s remarkable achievements. His election to the Academy of Social Sciences is a testament to the power of social science to drive meaningful change, and we look forward to seeing his continued influence in academia and beyond.
