Professor Stephen Hardy named Fellow of Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Stephen Hardy has been appointed as a Fellow of the prestigious Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Hardy, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Politics at the University, joined Hull last September, and has now joined a distinguished group of individuals from academic, public and private sectors, across the full breadth of the social sciences.

An esteemed barrister and judge, Professor Hardy has acted in some landmark cases, and is an internationally respected scholar in the fields of employment and social security laws.

He said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.”

“We know that business, politics and law can all make a major contribution to our communities and enable social justice, which in turn helps businesses realise their own corporate social responsibility.”

“I look forward to meeting fellow members of the Academy – all of whom are leaders in their chosen fields. It is truly humbling to be named alongside them.”

The Academy of Social Sciences comprises over 1,400 Fellows and around 46 Member Learned Societies.

Collectively, this extensive community of over 90,000 social scientists has helped establish the UK’s position as a global leader in the field of social sciences.

New Fellows are recognised, after an independent peer review process, for the excellence and impact of their work and their wider contributions to the social sciences for public benefit.

Professor Hardy is one of 37 new leading social scientists to have been conferred the award.

Professor Roger Goodman, President of the Academy of Social Sciences, said: “We are delighted to welcome 37 talented Fellows to the Academy this Spring.

“Our new Fellows have been selected for the excellence of their research, impact, thought leadership, and the practical application of social science to real world problems.”

“I congratulate them all and look forward to collaborating with them in promoting high quality social science in the UK and across the world.”

Professor Hardy, a respected figure in both higher education and the legal sector, began his career in academia in 1993, and has since risen through the ranks from PhD student to Dean.

Last year, he was appointed as the University of Hull’s Dean of Faculty of Business, Law and Politics, and said he was looking forward to “engaging with the region” and “helping prepare the next generation of lawyers, politicians, entrepreneurs and public servants.”