Five distinguished researchers from the Exeter Scholars have been elected as Fellows of the British Academy, one of the highest honors awarded to scholars in the United Kingdom. The prestigious recognition celebrates their exceptional contributions to the humanities and social sciences and acknowledges their influence on research, education, and public understanding both nationally and internationally.
The newly elected Fellows join an esteemed community of scholars that includes renowned figures such as Seamus Heaney, Sir Winston Churchill, Professor Dame Mary Beard, Professor Rana Mitter, and Professor Baroness Onora O’Neill.
About the British Academy
Founded in 1902, the British Academy is the United Kingdom’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. The Academy supports research, funds national and international scholarly projects, promotes public engagement, and provides expert advice on major societal challenges.
Today, the Academy consists of more than 1,800 Fellows, representing some of the world’s leading scholars across a wide range of academic disciplines.
Election to the Fellowship is the highest distinction the Academy bestows upon UK-based scholars for outstanding academic achievement and lasting contributions to knowledge.
Five University of Exeter Scholars Honored
Among the 58 UK Fellows elected this year, five academics from the University of Exeter received this prestigious recognition:
- Professor Jane Whittle – Historian
- Professor Mark Jackson – Historian of Medicine and Science
- Professor Morwenna Ludlow – Professor of Christian History and Theology
- Professor Neil Adger – Human Geographer
- Professor Rob Gleave – Professor of Arabic Studies
Each scholar has made internationally recognized contributions within their respective disciplines.
Professor Morwenna Ludlow
Professor Morwenna Ludlow, from the Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology, is internationally recognized for her research into the history of Christian thought, particularly the theology of the early Church.
Her work explores how early theological ideas continue to influence contemporary thinking and examines the ethical dimensions of communication, authority, and public discourse.
Professor Ludlow currently leads a Leverhulme Major Research Grant titled “God and Good Speech in Early Christianity,” which investigates what makes human communication genuinely ethical, respectful, and socially responsible.
Upon receiving the Fellowship, she noted that the recognition would help communicate the importance of humanities research in developing a deeper and more critical understanding of the modern world.
Professor Rob Gleave
Professor Rob Gleave, from the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, specializes in Islamic law, legal theory, and Shiite legal traditions.
Since joining the University of Exeter in 2005, he has led several internationally significant research initiatives, including a prestigious European Research Council Advanced Grant and a British Academy Wolfson Professorship.
His recent publications focus on Islamic legal texts and Shiite legal theory, contributing substantially to the global understanding of Islamic jurisprudence.
Professor Gleave described his election as a tremendous honor and emphasized the importance of promoting the value of humanities and social sciences both within the United Kingdom and internationally.
Professor Neil Adger
Professor Neil Adger, from the Department of Geography, is one of the world’s leading experts in environmental geography, climate change, ecological economics, and sustainability.
His internationally influential research focuses on climate adaptation, resilience, and environmental governance.
Among his many achievements, Professor Adger recently received the prestigious BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change and was ranked among the Reuters Top 20 Most Influential Climate Scientists.
His work continues to shape international discussions on climate policy and environmental resilience.
Professor Jane Whittle
Professor Jane Whittle is a renowned historian whose research examines:
- Work and labor history.
- Household economies.
- Economic development.
- Material culture.
- Consumption patterns.
- Early modern English society.
In 2019, she secured a highly competitive European Research Council Advanced Grant worth more than €1.6 million to investigate the everyday working lives of ordinary people, particularly women and children, in early modern England.
Her research culminated in the publication of The Experience of Work in Early Modern England, offering new insights into historical labor and social life.
Professor Mark Jackson
Professor Mark Jackson began his professional career as a qualified medical doctor before transitioning into academia.
He has become one of the world’s foremost historians of medicine, with research spanning:
- Allergic diseases.
- Asthma.
- Hay fever.
- Eczema.
- Stress.
- Crime and justice.
- Midlife transitions.
- Retirement.
- Public health history.
Since 1991, Professor Jackson has secured more than £13 million in research funding, including significant support for interdisciplinary health initiatives such as the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health and the WHO Collaborating Centre on Culture and Health.
His research has significantly enhanced understanding of the historical and cultural dimensions of medicine and healthcare.
Significance of the Fellowship
Election as a Fellow of the British Academy recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement and sustained contributions to advancing research within the humanities and social sciences.
Fellows contribute to:
- Promoting world-class research.
- Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Informing public policy.
- Enhancing public engagement.
- Advancing international academic partnerships.
- Demonstrating the societal value of humanities and social sciences.
The Fellowship represents one of the highest levels of academic recognition available in the United Kingdom.
British Academy President Welcomes New Fellows
Welcoming the newly elected Fellows, Professor Susan J. Smith, President of the British Academy, praised the breadth and excellence of the scholars’ achievements.
She highlighted that the new Fellows represent outstanding scholarship across numerous disciplines and will strengthen the Academy’s mission of advancing research, encouraging collaboration, and demonstrating the importance of humanities and social sciences in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Why This Recognition Matters
The election of five University of Exeter academics highlights the institution’s global reputation for research excellence and reinforces the critical role that humanities and social science research plays in understanding complex social, historical, environmental, and cultural issues.
Their work continues to influence policymaking, education, public debate, and academic research across the world.
Conclusion
The election of Professors Jane Whittle, Mark Jackson, Morwenna Ludlow, Neil Adger, and Rob Gleave as Fellows of the British Academy marks a remarkable achievement for both the scholars and the University of Exeter. Their research has advanced knowledge across multiple disciplines while addressing issues that shape society, public policy, healthcare, climate resilience, religion, and cultural understanding.
As Fellows of the British Academy, they join one of the world’s most prestigious scholarly communities dedicated to advancing excellence in humanities and social sciences for generations to come.
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