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/