Northumbria professors earn Academy fellowships

Two Northumbria University professors have been elected Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of their contribution to research and public life.

Professor Elliott Johnson, professor of public policy and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, and Professor Nicola Wake, professor of law, join a fellowship of more than 1750 leading social scientists from academia and the public, private and third sectors.

Elliott is an internationally recognised researcher in disability and social security, focusing on inequalities and the social determinants of health, particularly the impact of work and welfare on disabled and underrepresented people.

His research has helped shape policy discussions around Basic Income and informed expert advice to Government and the London Assembly, while he has secured more than £2.6 million to support his work.

Elliott said: “I am deeply honoured that my work has been recognised by the Academy of Social Sciences. 

“This is particularly meaningful as it has been the product of an ambition to challenge public policy orthodoxy and positively impact communities who have lost out over the last 40 years. 

“These communities are precisely those that Northumbria University serves through ambitions like powering an inclusive economy. 

“My work would not have been possible without our world-leading Common Sense Policy Group team, which has been fostered by the School of Communities and Education and supported strongly by the Faculty and University as a whole. 

“The fact that now four members of the Group within the University have received recognition as Fellows speaks to the value of a focus on multidisciplinarity, rigour, common sense in policy design and real-world impact.”

Nicola specialises in the experiences of vulnerable people within the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on victim-survivors of domestic abuse who defend themselves or are coerced into offending.

Her research with the Centre for Women’s Justice has informed parliamentary submissions and policy discussions around improving the criminal justice response to domestic abuse.

Nicola added: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. 

“This recognition reflects the importance of research that connects academic scholarship with real-world experiences. 

“Working with the Centre for Women’s Justice, Project Resist and other third sector organisations has been fundamental to this work. 

“I hope the Fellowship will help me continue to raise awareness of the experiences of victim-survivors of domestic abuse and contribute to research, policy and legal responses that deliver greater fairness and justice.”

The pair join other Northumbria academics previously elected to the Academy, including Professors Matthew Johnson and Daniel Nettle in 2024 and Howard Reed in 2025.

Will Hutton FAcSS, president of the Academy of Social Sciences, added: “Our newest Fellows represent some of the most influential voices in social science today. 

“Their work is expanding knowledge, challenging assumptions and generating insights that are informing and even redefining decision making across government, business, education and civil society. 

“I am delighted to welcome them 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.” 

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.