International honour for advancing environmental social science research

Susan Baker, Professor at the School of Social Sciences and researcher at the University's Sustainable Places Research Institute, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.

This prestigious accolade was presented to Professor Baker at the Academy's 200th Commemorative meeting on January 28th in Stockholm, attended by the King and Queen of Sweden.

Professor Baker is a leading researcher in environmental governance for the promotion of sustainable development, especially in the context of global environmental change. As a lead academic at the Sustainable Places Research Institute, her research is concerned with the interrelationship between ecology, the economy and society.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA) is an independent organisation concerned with the advancement of agriculture, horticulture, fishing, aquaculture, food, forestry, bio energy, environment, tourism, recreation and the history of forestry and agriculture.

New fellows are elected each year based on proposals from existing fellows, with the aim of complementing and extending the Academy's expertise in actively working towards positive development of the green sector. This year, Professor Baker was one of only four overseas fellows elected to the Academy.

President of the Academy, Dr Kerstin Niblaeus, said: "Susan represents a field of research that the academy has a definite shortage of, and that is the social sciences related to science and environment. We have mainly been oriented towards the natural sciences and economics, but it has become more and more apparent that change will not come about without the insights of researchers like Susan and others. We are therefore delighted that she accepted the nomination and we do hope that we will be able to engage her in other projects in the future. "

As part of the 200th anniversary celebrations, the Academy also held a two-day 'Global Outlook' symposium where Professor Baker was a guest speaker among many other international guests.

Professor Baker said: "As an outsider, it was a special honour to be elected a Fellow of one of Sweden's Learned Societies and in having my research recognised in a country that has an international reputation as a leader environmental state.

"This year is a special year for KSLA, as it marks 200 years since its foundation. It was an honour to receive my membership of KSLA at their glittering royal event, attended by over 800 invited guests. In addition, I was delighted to be invited to present the closing address at the Global Outlook Symposium, held as part of the celebrations to mark the bicentenary of KSLA."