The Academy is delighted to announce, after a process of open application and interview, that Professor Christina Boswell FBA FAcSS FRSE has been appointed the new Chair of the Campaign for Social Science and, with that, she becomes a trustee of the Academy.
The Campaign exists to further the Academy’s work in promoting the social sciences, in particular in research evidence in policy and in advocacy for the health of the social sciences in teaching, learning and research.
Christina, who is Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh, has extensive experience in advancing the role of research in policy, having set up the Centre for Science, Knowledge and Policy in 2012 at Edinburgh. Alongside her research, which focuses on the use of research and expert knowledge in policymaking, she has held numerous advisory roles for governments and international organisations including for UNHRC, OECD, the European Commission, and UK and Scottish Governments. Her current advisory roles include being a member of the Home Office Scientific Advisory Council, advisor to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and as a member of ESRC Council. Until recently, she served as Vice President for Public Policy of the British Academy between 2021 and 2026.
Christina also brings a wealth of experience from her research and innovation leadership roles within the University of Edinburgh, having served as Vice Principal for Research and Enterprise for the university between August 2022 and October 2025, and also as Dean of Research for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (2017-22).
As Chair of the Campaign for Social Science, Christina will play a leading role in shaping the future of the Campaign’s work, and growing its impact, working with the Campaign Board and the staff team.
On joining the Academy in this role, Christina said, “I’m honoured and delighted to be taking on this role at such a crucial time for the social sciences. We are facing a perfect storm of social, economic and environmental disruption, and the insights and methods from social sciences will be at the heart of tackling these problems. I’m looking forward to working with our social science community and stakeholders across policy, public sector, industry and civil society to deliver the Campaign’s mission of improving policy, society and our lives.”
The Academy is looking forward to working with Christina in her new role.