Prestigious Fellowship award for leading academic

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One of the leading figures at Leeds University Business School (LUBS) has been made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Irena Grugulis, Chair in Work and Skills, has been recognised for outstanding contributions to research and leadership.

As a specialist in qualitative research, Professor Grugulis focuses on learning and skills at work, including the ways that work both supports and limits learning, the challenges raised by soft skills and the links between skills and performance. 

She said: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected to such a prestigious Fellowship. I hope it will spur me to continue to research and continue to improve my own practice.”

Besides her research, Professor Grugulis has also written two textbooks and published studies about learning and work in a range of settings including the creative industries (film, TV and computer games), the retail sector and the Fire and Rescue Service. 

She has been involved in policy work for the UK Government and was a member of the Academic Expert panel for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). She also served for seven years as Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the journal ‘Work, Employment and Society’, and is currently Chair of its Editorial Board.

University of Leeds Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, said: “This is important recognition of Professor Grugulis’ hard work and dedication, which I am sure will be applauded by the whole University community.”

Professor Grugulis is among 73 academics who have been named as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences for applying their knowledge and expertise across diverse areas of public life and working to improve social, political and economic wellbeing – both in the UK and beyond. 

Professor Roger Goodman, President of the Academy of Social Sciences, said: “This remarkable community of experts has used the social sciences to deliver public benefit in the realms of social, economic and environmental policy, and in higher education, regional development, government and law.

“I offer our new Fellows many congratulations and look forward to collaborating with them.”

This is important recognition of Professor Grugulis’ hard work and dedication, which I am sure will be applauded by the whole University community.

Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor

Academy of Social Sciences Fellows are elected for their outstanding contributions to research and their leadership, as well as for their application of social science to policy, education, society and the economy.