Four 91直播 academics become Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences
Experts recognised for their significant contributions to social science and their work addressing major societal challenges
The Academy of Social Sciences has elected four experts from The University of Manchester as Fellows in recognition of their significant contributions to social science, highlighting the relevance of the social sciences in understanding and addressing the many varied societal challenges facing the UK and the world today.
Professor Richard Kingston is an expert in the use of digital technologies, data and geographic information to support planning and decision-making.
His research focuses on Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS), planning support systems, spatial analysis and data science. He is Director of the University鈥檚 Digital Futures platform and the NERC Digital Solutions Programme, which develops digital tools and services designed to deliver economic, societal and environmental benefits across the UK. His work has also helped develop tools to support more socially aware responses to climate change.
Professor Yaojun Li is an internationally recognised sociologist whose research focuses on social mobility and social stratification, ethnic integration, social capital, education and labour markets.
Professor Li has conducted extensive research into social mobility and inequality, with a particular focus on class, education, employment, income and ethnic integration in Britain and China. He was awarded an OBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to the advancement of knowledge in social mobility and to ethnic integration, and was previously elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
I am thrilled at receiving this honour, which is completely unexpected. At the same time, I feel much humbled as many colleagues have made wonderful contributions.
Professor Konstantinos Stathopoulos is a leading corporate governance scholar whose research examines how companies are governed and how corporate decision-making affects different stakeholders. His work has a particular focus on executive compensation and the ways in which poor governance practices can affect stakeholder wealth. More recently, his research has examined the interests and influence of stakeholders, including employees, in corporate decision-making and governance.聽
He is Vice President of the International Corporate Governance Society, Chair of the Corporate Governance Special Interest Group of the British Accounting and Finance Association and an Otto M酶nsted Visiting Professor at Copenhagen Business School. He was Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Governance: An International Review from 2019 to 2024.
Professor Andreja Zevnik is an interdisciplinary scholar whose research explores political resistance, protest, race, identity and marginalisation.
Her work draws on psychoanalysis, continental philosophy, and postcolonial theory to examine how political identities and forms of resistance are produced. Her recent research has focused particularly on the racialisation and political mobilisation of Roma communities in Europe, Black Lives Matter and other forms of anti-racist political mobilisation. Her research with colleagues has also helped to raise awareness of antigypsyism and strengthen political representation and advocacy among Roma communities in Slovenia.
I am honoured to be joining the Academy of Social Sciences. I look forward to learning from its distinguished community of Fellows, and to contributing to the Academy鈥檚 work in bringing social science insights to the important challenges facing society today.
鈥淥ur newest Fellows represent some of the most influential voices in social science today,鈥� said Will Hutton, President of the Academy of Social Sciences. 鈥淭heir work is expanding knowledge, challenging assumptions and generating insights that are informing and even redefining decision making across government, business, education and civil society.鈥�
鈥淚 am delighted to welcome these leading experts 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.鈥�