Professor Martyn PickersgillFAcSS

Professor Martyn Pickersgill was elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences in spring 2021. Described by peers as part of ’a rising generation of future leaders in the field [of social sciences]’, Martyn is recognised for his outstanding track record of funding and publication, particularly in attracting large investments from the Wellcome Trust.

Martyn is a sociologist of science and medicine with interests in the emergence, circulation, and embedding of biomedical and psychological concepts and interventions. He has made important scholarly contributions to emerging and longstanding debates in science and technology studies (STS), and medical sociology. Martyn has an international reputation for his research on the sociologies of neuroscience, psychiatry and psychology. Through a series of prestigious fellowships and grants he has cast new light on the international circulation of knowledge about the brain and mental health, and the manifestation of this within public life, social policy, clinical practice, and personal experience.

Read Professor Martyn Pickersgill’s full profile

What does becoming a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences mean to you?

“It’s a huge honour to be elected to the Academy of Social Sciences as I’ve long admired its work. The impact of initiatives such as the Campaign for Social Science and associated outputs like ‘The Health of People’ report has been significant in a number of ways.”

Why do Social Sciences Matter?

“With COVID-19, the importance of social sciences in all their forms – critical, interpretive, applied and more – is especially striking. Social scientific insights and expertise are vital to inform, shape and challenge policymaking on COVID-19; in terms of tackling the pandemic, accelerating social recovery, and reimagining fairer and more equal societies.”