University news

Four of the University of Glasgow’s leading academics are among 92 distinguished scholars who have been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.

In 2025, 58 UK Fellows (drawn from 25 universities), 30 International Fellows and 4 Honorary Fellows have been elected.

The academics from the University of Glasgow, confirmed as new British Academy Fellows, are:

• Professor Callum G Brown FRSE, Professor emeritus in History, School of Humanities | Sgoil nan Daonnachdan
• Professor Chris Philo FAcSS, Professor of Geography, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Professor Jennifer Smith, Professor of Sociolinguistics, School of Critical Studies
• Professor Satnam Virdee, FRSE, Professor of Sociology, School of Social & Political Sciences

The new Fellows of the British Academy represent a broad spectrum of expertise from the study of twentieth-century music and the structural causes of poverty to environmental law and the neuroscience of memory, language, and cognition. This year’s cohort sees an increased number of UK Fellows elected, due to new Fellowship places for candidates whose research spans more than one discipline. They join a community of over 1,800 scholars who share a commitment to advancing the humanities and social sciences.

Professor Susan J. Smith PBA, new President of the British Academy, speaking about the new Fellows, said: “What a line-up! With specialisms ranging from the neuroscience of memory to the power of music and the structural causes of poverty, they represent the very best of the humanities and social sciences. They bring years of experience, evidence-based arguments and innovative thinking to the profound challenges of our age: managing the economy, enabling democracy, and securing the quality of human life.

“This year, we have increased the number of new Fellows by nearly 10% to cover some spaces between disciplines. Champions of research excellence, every new Fellow enlarges our capacity to interpret the past, understand the present, and shape resilient, sustainable futures. It is a privilege to extend my warmest congratulations to them all.”

Emeritus Professor of History Callum G Brown said: “I am delighted to be joining the British Academy after working as an historian for over 40 years, including 10 years at the University of Glasgow. Though retired, I get a buzz from discovery in the archives, and I hope to keep researching and writing in 20th century British history for many years yet.” 

Professor of Geography Chris Philo said: "I am surprised, delighted and humbled to have been elected to the Fellowship of the British Academy. I am deeply thankful to all those who have seen merit in my own scholarship and contributions to the humanities and social sciences over the years. It is my conviction that high-quality intellectual reflection and frontline academic research are ever more important at this challenging current conjuncture, nationally and globally, and that my own disciplinary field of geography - I might term it a critical sensibility - is an absolutely indispensable resource in this respect."

Professor of Sociolinguistics Jennifer Smith said: “It’s a huge honour and privilege to be elected. The Academy seeks to deepen insight into people, cultures and societies, and key to this endeavour is understanding that most human of abilities, language. I’m very much looking forward to working with the Academy in highlighting the centrality of linguistic research, and the humanities and social sciences more generally, in people’s everyday lives.”   

Professor of Sociology Satnam Virdee said: “I am honoured to be elected a Fellow of the British Academy. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported me throughout my career including colleagues in the Sociology division, my wife Louise and son Cameron.”  

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The full list of this year’s new British Academy UK, International and Honorary Fellows can be found by clicking here - The 2025 British Academy Fellows

The British Academy

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. It mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. The British Academy invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for the benefit of everyone.   
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk  

First published: 18 July 2025