Professor of Sociology appointed Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Peter Fussey, Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex and Director of the Centre for Research into Information, Surveillance and Privacy, is one of 47 leading social scientists to be conferred to the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences this Spring.

Newly elected Fellows are selected through an independent peer review, which recognises their excellence and impact, including their wider contributions to social sciences for public benefit.

There are 1,600 Academy of Social Sciences Fellows across the world and the appointment of Professor Fussey this Spring brings the number of Essex academicians to 25.

Peter Fussey is Professor of Sociology, Director of the Centre for Research into Information, Surveillance and Privacy and leads the human rights, data and technology strand of the National Surveillance Camera Strategy.

His research interests focus on biometrics and facial recognition in terrorism, organised crime and child trafficking. His work has included studies of the human rights implications of policing and he leads on a major £6m ESRC project involving multinational studies in US, UK, Brazil, Germany, and India.

He has worked as a consultant advising the UN Commission for Human Rights, the US Department of Homeland Security, the Metropolitan Police, the US police, and others.

Professor Fussey said: "I’m delighted to be awarded the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences and to join a community of such distinguished scholars. For me it also represents a fabulous opportunity to engage with leading thinkers across the social sciences and to support the work of the Academy in bringing positive impacts for society through informed research.”

Professor Nancy Kula, Faculty Dean of Social Sciences, added: “It’s wonderful to hear that Professor Peter Fussey from our world-leading Faculty of Social Sciences, has been awarded this prestigious Fellowship. He fully deserves this award in recognition of his outstanding research contribution to the social sciences. Congratulations, Peter!”

Will Hutton FAcSS, President of the Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The Academy of Social Sciences is delighted to welcome the Spring 2022 group of new Fellows to join our ranks - representing an excellent range of highly distinguished social scientists. We look forward to engaging with them in our work."