20/10/2009

Two leading Cardiff University social scientists have been honoured by The Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Alistair Cole, School of European Studies, and Professor David Nelken, Cardiff Law School, have received the award of Academician for their outstanding contribution to the social sciences.

The Academy of Social Sciences is the voice of the social sciences in the UK for the public benefit. There are 34 learned society members of the Academy and over 600 individual Academicians as well as a number of Affiliate members.

Recepients of the Award are drawn from academic, policy making and practioner backgrounds. As Academicians they support the Academy’s mission of promoting social sciences for the public benefit by helping to respond to Government consultations on behalf of the social science community, organise events and seminars and sponsor a number of schemes that promote the social sciences.

Professor Cole is internationally recognised for his expertise in contemporary and comparative European politics and policy, especially for his expertise in France and Franco-British comparisons.

He is the founder member of University’s European Governance, Identity and Public Policy research unit and introduced a joint degree-diploma programme between the University and the Bordeaux Institute of Political Studies, the first of its kind in the UK.

Professor Nelken’s criminological work is focused primarily on white collar crime and comparative criminal justice, which overlaps with sociology of law and comparative law.

Chair of the Council of The Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Cary Cooper CBE AcSS, said: “I am delighted that we are able to confer the award on such a significant number of distinguished new Academicians.

“The social sciences have a vital contribution to make towards some of the big issues facing society today, such as sustainability, crime, communities and individual fulfilment and well-being."