The leading academic has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) as part of the organisation’s Spring 2026 cohort. Bangor University now has two fellows, with Michael joining Professor Bob Woods, Professor Emeritus at School of Health Sciences.
The Academy of Social Sciences has welcomed 74 outstanding social scientists to its Fellowship this spring, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to research, policy and professional practice across the social sciences. Fellows are elected through an independent peer review process in recognition of their excellence and their impact in advancing social science for public benefit.
Professor Michael Butler’s election reflects his significant contributions to research and leadership in the social sciences, particularly through his work exploring political and societal change, regional governance and public policy. As Director of the Rhanbarth Research Centre at Bangor University, he has played a key role in developing research that connects academic insight with policy and community engagement.
Professor Michael Butler joined The Albert Gubay Business School at Bangor University in 2023 from a senior position at Aston University. Since taking up his role as Director of the Rhanbarth Research Centre, he has led a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional research and policy engagement. As part of this work, he is a member of a team commissioned by the Welsh Government to review the adoption of generative AI across Wales. The project aims to support the creation of 8,400 new jobs and unlock £5 million to enhance skills development across the country.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Michael 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: “I’m delighted to welcome these leading social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship this spring. 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 comprises around 1,700 leading social scientists from academia, government, industry, and the third sector. Fellows’ expertise spans the full breadth of the social sciences and contributes to addressing major challenges facing communities, economies, and societies in the UK and internationally.
Professor Butler joins Fellows elected from 39 organisations, including 35 higher education institutions across the UK and internationally.
