Paul Whiteley, Professor of Government at the University of Essex, has been elected to an elite group of scholars who have achieved distinction in the humanities or social sciences. Professor Whiteley, who is Co-director of the British Election Study, will become one of 900 British Academy Fellows.

The 38 new Fellows were elected at the July Annual General Meeting of the British Academy, whose purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value. The Fellows represent the full range of the Academy's subject areas, from early literature to law.

The honour recognises Professor Whiteley as a highly distinguished academic, recognised for his outstanding research. As well as Co-directing the British Election Study, he is Director of the Essex Centre for the Study of Integrity and has written many books on politics in Britain and elsewhere.

Sir Adam Roberts, President of the Academy said: “The new Fellows, who come from 23 institutions across the UK, have outstanding expertise across the board – from social policy and government, to sign language and music. Our Fellows play a vital role in sustaining the Academy’s activities - from identifying excellence to be supported by research awards, to contributing to policy reports and speaking at the Academy’s public events. Their presence in the Academy will help it to sustain its support for research across the humanities and social sciences, and to inspire public interest in these disciplines.”