Professor recognised by national academy for major contribution to social science research
A LEADING academic at Bangor University has received a prestigious national honour in recognition of his contribution to social science research.
Professor Michael Butler, Director of the Rhanbarth Research Centre, has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) as part of the organisation’s Spring 2026 cohort.
The appointment recognises his significant contributions to research and leadership within the social sciences, particularly through his work examining political and societal change, regional governance and public policy.
The Academy welcomed 74 outstanding social scientists to its Fellowship this spring. Fellows are selected through an independent peer review process and honoured for excellence in research, as well as their impact on policy and professional practice for public benefit.
Professor Butler’s election means Bangor University now has two Fellows of the Academy. He joins Professor Bob Woods, Professor Emeritus at the university’s School of Health Sciences.
Since joining Bangor in 2023 from a senior role at Aston University, Professor Butler has led several initiatives designed to strengthen regional research and policy engagement.
As Director of the Rhanbarth Research Centre, he has helped develop projects linking academic research with policy development and community engagement. Among his current work is involvement in a team commissioned by the Welsh Government to review the adoption of generative artificial intelligence across Wales.
The project aims to support the creation of 8,400 new jobs while unlocking £5 million to improve skills development across the country.
Speaking about the honour, Professor Butler said:
“It is a privilege to be awarded Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences, and I am deeply grateful to the Academy and to my nominees for their support.
“Many of the peers I have long regarded as role models in shaping my own career are Fellows of the Academy, so joining their ranks is a genuine honour. Achievements in research are always the product of collaboration, and I am fortunate to have been part of many high-performing teams, each tackling a different and meaningful research challenge.”
President of the Academy, Will Hutton FAcSS, said he was delighted to welcome the new Fellows.
He said: “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.”
The Academy’s Fellowship currently includes around 1,700 leading social scientists drawn from academia, government, industry and the third sector.
Professor Butler joins Fellows elected from 39 organisations, including 35 higher education institutions across the UK and internationally.
