International recognition for UniSA sociologist

UniSA Dean of External Engagement and Executive Director of the Hawke EU Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and Network, Professor Anthony Elliott, has been made a Fellow of the United Kingdom Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of his outstanding contribution to research.

In this award from the renowned Academy, which promotes social science across the UK, Prof Elliott joins 1400 distinguished scholars and practitioners from academia and the public and private sectors who are elected by their peers for their outstanding contributions to research and for their application of social science to policy, education, society and the economy.

Announcing the new Fellows, President of the UK Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Roger Goodman said the Academy was extremely proud to welcome 73 new Fellows who are so highly accomplished and are driving social and economic transformation across societies.

“They have been selected following a robust review by their peers and have been recognised for the excellence of their work and its applications in academia, business and the public sector,” Prof Goodman said.

Prof Elliott is a leading figure in Australia and globally in the field of social theory, having made pioneering efforts in the fields of identity and technology studies – bringing together social theory, sociology and psychoanalysis.

The author and editor of more than 40 books and over 80 book chapters and internationally esteemed journal articles, his influential book Concepts of the Self has been in continuous print for more than 20 years across four editions and multiple translations.

UniSA Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington says to be named a Fellow of an Academy outside your own country is indeed a high honour.

“This announcement reflects the global influence Anthony has had in his field and is a mark of deep respect for the enormous contribution he has made and continues to make in this critical field of study,” Prof Hughes-Warrington says.

“Understanding the social, political, economic and psychological threads that underpin societies, and the way these elements can propel change, stagnation, disorder, or progress is of enormous importance to how we guide the future, how we aspire for better societies.

“Anthony’s work continues to contribute to global knowledge in this field and we are extremely proud of his latest achievement in being named a Fellow of the Academy.”

Highly engaged and a great communicator, Prof Elliott has been an ambassador for the power of the social sciences to contribute to a wider understanding of our times and the factors and trends that play out in society globally.

He is widely published but also a consistent contributor through media engagement, public policy debates as well as conferences and public lectures. His work on the Public Forums and Communications Committee of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, through which he developed partnerships with UniSA, has supported the staging of nation-wide summits on key policy issues.

Prof Elliott says he is honoured to have his work acknowledged by the Academy.

“Sociology is a world study, and to achieve this recognition of my contribution to the field from the UK Academy is incredibly rewarding,” Prof Elliott says.

“There are no borders to knowledge, and it is a great privilege to be networked with such a significant Academy and in the company of truly great thinkers.”

/UniSA Release. View in full here.