Professors Martin Spring and Constantin Blome have been made Fellows of The Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of their research excellence and contributions to industry, policy and higher education.

Professor Martin Spring, of Lancaster University Management School’s Department of Management Science, and Professor Constantin Blome, Academic Dean of Lancaster University Leipzig are among 45 leading social scientists to be elected to the Fellowship this week from 34 UK organisations, including 31 Higher Education institutions, as well as think tanks, non-profits and business.

Professor Martin Spring is an expert in Operations Management whose work is dedicated to understanding innovation in business and the links between public policy, supply chains and business-to-business services.

Professor Constantin Blome’s research interests include supply chain management, procurement and operations management with strong focus on sustainability, innovation and risk issues.

Will Hutton FAcSS, President of the Academy, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome these 45 leading social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship. Their substantial contributions to social science and wider society have furthered our understanding of the social and environmental factors related to population health, changing cultures of inequality, children and young people’s experiences of gaming and gambling, the importance of diversity and inclusion in organisations, and how businesses can contribute to the sustainable development goals, amongst many others. We look forward to working with them to further promote the important role the social sciences play in our daily lives.”

Professor Martin Spring said: “I’m pleased and honoured to be recognised in this way. Although things are changing, social scientists in other faculties may still wonder what goes on in business schools. I hope this Fellowship - and Constantin’s – demonstrates further that our discipline does valuable work, with real social and economic impact. I’ve worked with lots of great colleagues and students and, as much as anything, the Fellowship reflects what I have been able to learn from them. I have tried to pass some of this learning on and use it to make a difference.”

Professor Constantin Blome said: “It’s an honour to join the circle of social science leaders in the UK and abroad. Particular research in management schools has been neglected in the past, but is more and more recognised as a pillar of interdisciplinary research teams that address important societal problems. The fellowship encourages me to continue my research trajectory with my international colleagues in the wider field of operations and supply chain management.”

The newly elected Fellows from Lancaster join 1,600 leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors. The Fellows’ expertise covers the breadth of the social sciences, and their practice and research addresses some of the major challenges facing communities, society, places and economies.

All Academy Fellows are elected for their excellence in their fields and their substantial contributions to social science for public benefit. Selection is through an independent peer review which recognises their excellence and impact.