The Academy is a distinguished community of world-leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors who work together to address major challenges that we face globally.

Professor Joan Loughrey, Interim Head of School in the School of Law, is being recognised for leading and shaping debates on whether, why, and how law and regulation can be utilised to influence behaviour and promote the accountability and regulation of powerful individuals in the corporate sphere.

Speaking about the award, Professor Loughrey said: “I am profoundly honoured to have been elected to the Academy and am very grateful to the Society of Legal Scholars for nominating me. Understanding how law and regulation can influence human behaviour and promote accountability, particularly that of corporations which are some of our most powerful societal actors, is a critical part of addressing the major challenges facing global society.

“It is a real privilege to be elected to the Academy and to join in promoting the essential role of social sciences in addressing these and other key issues that face us.”

Professor Allen Thurston, Professor of Education and Director of Research in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s, has been recognised for his work improving educational outcomes, particularly for those from high poverty backgrounds.

Professor Thurston said: “I am delighted to be elected as Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. It is an honour to receive the award in recognition of my work on researching how to improve educational outcomes, particularly for those from high poverty backgrounds, in schools.

“I hope that my Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences will enable me to have further critical conversations on how to help policy makers and teachers make research informed decisions on how to improve outcomes for children.”

Professor Muiris MacCarthaigh, Head of Politics and International Relations and Professor of Politics and Public Administration at Queen’s, was nominated by the Public Administration Committee (PAC) of the Joint University Council for his outstanding scholarship and leadership in public administration and service to the learned society.

Professor MacCarthaigh said: ‘It’s an honour to be recognised by the Academy for my research and engagement with public servants and public sector organisations over the last two decades. I look forward to continuing this work with colleagues at Queen’s and using the opportunities that membership of the Academy provides to collaborate with distinguished academics and practitioners, and in so doing to advance the frontiers of social science.”

President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Sir Ian Greer commented: "It is a great honour that three Queen’s academics have been elected to the Academy of Social Sciences. The awarding of these prestigious Fellowships recognises the impact of our three academics’ research. Throughout their careers they have used the social sciences to further our understanding and make practical contributions that benefit the public, both locally and internationally.”