press release
Published: 09 March 2026

Two University of Surrey academics elected Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences

Two academics from the University of Surrey have been elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences, recognising their outstanding contributions to research and the wider impact of social science on society. Birgitta Gatersleben, Professor of Environmental Psychology, and Tazeeb Rajwani, Professor in International Business and Strategy, have both been named among the Academy’s newly elected Fellows. 

The Fellowship recognises leading social scientists whose work has significantly advanced understanding of major societal challenges and delivered impact beyond academia, including contributions to policy, industry and public life. 

President of the Academy of Social Sciences, Will Hutton, said:  

 “I’m delighted to welcome these leading social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship this spring. Their substantial contributions have furthered knowledge and our understanding in tackling a wide range of societal challenges including working with Indigenous communities in the Arctic to better understand climate risk, memory retrieval processes in legal contexts, social inequalities, economic policy and tackling hate crime. We look forward to working with them to further promote the important role the social sciences play in our daily lives.”   

Across the UK and internationally, 74 new Fellows have been elected this spring from 39 organisations spanning universities, think tanks, government and non-profit institutions. 

[ENDS] 

Notes to editors 

  • The Academy of Social Sciences brings together more than 1,700 of the most distinguished social scientists from across academia, government, industry and the third sector. Fellows are elected through an independent peer review process that recognises excellence in research as well as meaningful contributions to society. 
  •  Interviews with Professor Birgitta Gatersleben and Professor Tazeeb Rajwani are available on request. Please email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk 

 

Related sustainable development goals

Partnerships for the UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 logo

Media Contacts


Georgie Gould
Media Officer (Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences)
Phone:

External Communications and PR team
Phone: +44 (0)1483 684380 / 688914 / 684378
Email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
Out of hours: +44 (0)7773 479911