The Society for Research into Higher Education Announces the Award of 22 New Fellows in Celebration of its 60th Anniversary

The Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) is delighted to announce the appointment of 22 new Fellows of the Society. This prestigious recognition marks a milestone in the Society’s 60th anniversary year, as the Fellowship has been reviewed and revised to better reflect and celebrate the contribution to scholarship made by its members.

For six decades, SRHE has served as a leading membership society dedicated to advancing understanding of higher education through the support and promotion of research, knowledge exchange, and scholarly collaboration. With a vibrant programme of events, a renowned international annual conference, and the publication of high-quality peer-reviewed journals and books, SRHE is a vital source of community and support for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide.

The revival of the Fellowship programme reflects the Society’s commitment to honouring excellence and innovation in the field. Fellowship of the SRHE is awarded to individuals who have made a substantial and enduring contribution to research into higher education. Each Fellow has demonstrated not only a reputation of distinction but also a dedication to shaping the future of higher education research.

The introduction of 22 new Fellows nominated and appointed from within the Society’s membership underscores SRHE’s renewed dedication to recognising achievement, supporting career development, and building collaborative networks that enrich the field of higher education research.

Dr Clare M. Loughlin Chow, CEO of the Society, Professor Pauline Kneale, Chair of the SRHE Governing Council, and Members of the Governing Council

“The Governing Council, Council Chair and CEO are all delighted to welcome our new fellows and congratulate them upon their appointments. We look forward to working with them and benefiting from their expertise as we continue to develop the Society and its work in supporting HE research with a real significance and impact. In these uncertain times it is more important than ever to continue with our work designed to inform development and improvement in the tertiary sector, and we are pleased to celebrate the achievements of those who have made such significant contributions to this endeavour.”

Professor Emerita Heidi Safia Mirza, UCL, Goldsmiths, and LSE, University of London

“I gratefully accept this prestigious recognition as it was indeed the SRHE who, over 30 years ago, believed in me and set me on my academic path to explore Race in Higher Education. I thank you and SRHE for their generosity and foresight in promoting me as a young scholar and now welcoming me into their fold as seasoned researcher.  We have come full circle!”

Professor William Locke, UCL

“I’m very honoured and proud to be elected to Fellowship of the SRHE.  The Society is an essential support network for researchers at all stages of their careers.  I’ve been a member for 20 years, including terms on the Governing Council, Publications Committee and Governance and Appointments Committee.  In 2015, I was given the fantastic opportunity to become a Founding Editor of the SRHE’s new publication Policy Reviews in Higher Education and help establish it as a world-leading HE journal.  I wish the Society and its members great success in the future.”

Dr Michelle Morgan, University of East London

“I am so thrilled and humbled to be awarded a Fellowship from the Society for Research in Higher Education. SRHE is an amazing organisation enabling colleagues to have a safe space to share insights, perspectives and knowledge on understanding, developing and improving the UK and International higher education experiences of students and staff based on rigorous research. Over the years, I have learnt so much from incredible colleagues sharing their work via the annual conference, workshops and seminars offered through the year. The annual conference is one I always attend.”

The full list of SRHE Fellows elected in 2025: 

Professor Emerita Gerlese Akerlind, Australian National University

Professor Paul Ashwin, Lancaster University

Professor Kalwant Bhopal, University of Birmingham

Professor Penny Jane Burke, Newcastle University Australia

Professor Jennifer Case, Virginia Tech, USA

Professor Emeritus Sue Clegg, Leeds Beckett University

Professor Kelly Coate, Richmond American University in London

Professor Emerita Pam Denicolo, University of Reading

Professor Emeritus George Gordon, University of Strathclyde

Professor Helen Higson OBE DL, Aston University

Professor Jill Jameson, University of Greenwich

Professor Sylvie Lamoureux, University of Ottawa

Professor William Locke, UCL

Professor Emerita Heidi Safia Mirza, UCL, Goldsmiths, and LSE, University of London

Professor Sarah Montano, University of Birmingham

Dr Michelle Morgan, University of East London

Professor Rajani Naidoo, University of Exeter

Professor David Palfreyman, University of Oxford

Professor Christopher Pole, University of Brighton

Professor Maria Slowey, Dublin City University

Dr Paul Temple, University College London

Professor Celia Whitchurch, University College London

Find out more about our fellows: https://srhe.ac.uk/about-srhe/fellows/

This vacancy has now closed. 

SRHE is seeking to recruit a new Associate Editor to join the Studies in Higher Education Editorial Team.

Studies is a leading international journal published on behalf of the SRHE by Taylor & Francis Group. It has a global readership and expects authors to make their work interesting, relevant and intelligible to that readership. The Associate Editor should have significant prior editorial experience, possess a range of subject expertise, understand different research approaches and have a strong, demonstrated background in quantitative methods. Knowledge of a number of different higher education systems globally would be an advantage.

The Society encourages applications from all qualified candidates and is committed to increasing our engagement with underrepresented groups and regions – applicants with research knowledge/expertise of regions in the global south are particularly encouraged to apply.

Full details and job description available here .

Closing date: 4^th August 2025.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Research & Scoping Awards.

The Society is offering:

• £10,000 member awards for research focused on any aspect of higher education submitted under three overarching themes: Higher Education Policy, Higher Education and Society, and Higher Education Practice.
• Scoping awards of £5,000 each for the exploration of any new or emerging area of higher education research leading to the development of a plan for further research.

Further information and details on how to apply available here.

Deadline 1 September 2025. 

The Society is very sad to report the death Professor Claire Callender OBE on 15 April 2025. 

Claire held joint professorships at UCL Institute of Education and Birkbeck, University of London and her outstanding academic career was well described in Simon Marginson’s splendid obituary for HEPI on 18 April 2025. Claire’s research gave her an unrivalled understanding of the consequences for students of higher education funding methods, and she had a rare ability to communicate clearly with both the academic community and with policymakers, reflecting her experience of working in government as well as in academe. Her work showed her consistent concern for the fortunes of part-time students.

As Simon Marginson wrote: “Her heart might have been with Birkbeck, and there her policy focus on part-time, adult and evening students had its natural home.” As Deputy Director in the ESRC Centre for Global Higher Education she played a major part in promoting research into higher education worldwide, being recognised and respected not only for her exceptional research expertise but also for her kind consideration and warm support for colleagues in many countries.

Claire was an active member of SRHE as a member of the Research and Development Committee, serving on the Editorial Board of Studies in Higher Education, giving wise advice to Council on policy issues, and elected as an SRHE Fellow in 2011.

In the words of Simon’s obituary: “She touched the lives of many as a scholar, colleague and mentor; played a central role in policy and public discussion for three decades; and had much respect and friendship in the sector.”

Our thanks to Professor Rob Cuthbert, SRHE News Editor for the above tribute. 

Former SRHE Trustee Professor Emily F. Henderson has also written a personal reflection on the Conference Inference blogspace entitled Fleeting encounters with a formidable scholar – remembering Claire Callender