Two professors from the University of Essex have won national recognition for their contributions to the social sciences.

Professors Lydia Morris, from the Department of Sociology, and Marco Francesconi, from the Department of Economics, have been elected as Academicians of the Academy of Social Sciences to join a distinguished group of social science scholars and practitioners in the UK.

The award recognises their significant contribution to research in their fields but also their contribution to social science more broadly.

Professor David Sanders, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and for the Faculty of Social Sciences and fellow Academician, said: “I would like to congratulate Lydia and Marco on behalf of the university on this prestigious achievement. Only three other universities had the award of two academicians, so we take particular pride in the awards to leading scholars at Essex. To be recognised by their peers in this way is a true reflection of their commitment to research in the social sciences.”

Professor Francesconi’s main area of research is labour economics with special interests in family economics, inter-generational links and labour market dynamics, although his skill in empirical work has contributed to our understanding in a much larger range of fields, including demography, health care, and even evolutionary biology.

Professor Morris began researching in the area of anthropology, but later applied anthropological questions and methods to the sociological study of social and economic change in the UK, resulting in three books and over 20 journal articles. Much of this work concerned aspects of labour market change and gender relations, but also extended to an analysis of the concept of the underclass in Britain. This began with a consideration of welfare rights and social citizenship, but led to her later highly influential work in the sociology of human rights.

The award of Academician is a scholarly distinction by the Academy of Social Sciences, presented to people who have significant achievements to their name and have contributed to social science more broadly than the normal demands of their job. This contribution can be in the area of thought leadership, practitioner applications or policy development.

Professors Morris and Francesconi join nine academics at Essex to hold the title of Academician.

For more information contact the University of Essex Communications Office on 01206 872400 or e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk

Essex Academicians:

Professor Anthony Forster
Professor Joan Busfield
Professor Miriam Glucksmann
Professor Tim Hatton
Professor Emil Kirchner
Professor Vicky Randall
Professor David Rose
Professor David Sanders
Professor Paul Whiteley