Professor Roberto Unger has been elected to the British Academy for the humanities and social sciences in recognition of his work in the fields of social theory, politics and law. Unger was one of 76 distinguished scholars to be elected to the fellowship this year, the largest ever cohort of new fellows elected to the British Academy.
The British Academy is the U.K.’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, and an independent fellowship of around 1,400 world-leading scholars and researchers. Each year, the British Academy elects up to 76 outstanding scholars who have achieved academic distinction in the humanities and social sciences, as reflected in scholarly research activity and publication.
As well as a fellowship, the British Academy is a funding body for research, nationally and internationally, and a forum for debate and engagement.
Current Fellows include the classicist Dame Mary Beard, the historian Sir Simon Schama and philosopher Baroness Onora O’Neill, while previous Fellows include Sir Winston Churchill, C.S Lewis, Seamus Heaney and Beatrice Webb.
“I am delighted to welcome this year’s exceptionally talented new Fellows to the Academy. Including historians and economists, neuroscientists and legal theorists, they bring a vast range of expertise, insights and experience to our most distinguished fellowship,” said Professor Sir David Cannadine, President of the British Academy. “The election of the largest cohort of Fellows in our history means the British Academy is better placed than ever to help tackle the challenges we all face today. Whether it’s social integration or the aging society, the future of democracy or climate change, Brexit or the rise of artificial intelligence, the insights of the humanities and social sciences are essential as we navigate our way through an uncertain present into what we hope will be an exciting future.”