University leader ready to join ‘group of outstanding scholars’
A PRESTIGIOUS academy fellowship has been extended to the University of Sheffield’s provost and deputy vice-chancellor.
Prof Gill Valentine is among 76 distinguished scholars worldwide, and the only one in Yorkshire, to be made a Fellow of the British Academy in this round for the humanities and social sciences. It comes as a result of her work as a social geographer, and for championing the values of diversity and equality in UK higher education.
“I am delighted,” she said. “It is an honour to be recognised. I look forward to joining a group of outstanding scholars who represent excellence in their fields and demonstrate the value of humanities and social science research in the UK and worldwide.”
Prof Valentine joins the British Academy, a community of more than 1,400 leading minds that make up the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences.
Current Fellows include the classicist Dame Mary Beard, historian Sir Simon Schama and philosopher Baroness Onora O’Neill, while previous Fellows include Sir Winston Churchill, CS Lewis, Seamus Heaney and Beatrice Webb.
Professor Sir David Cannadine, president of the British Academy, said: “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.
“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 ageing 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.”