Nuffield Fellow elected to prestigious US National Academy of Sciences
Desmond King, Nuffield Fellow and Andrew W Mellon Professor of American Government, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in the US – widely regarded as one of the highest honours a social scientist can receive. Des is one of just 30 international members elected this year, all recognised for their ‘distinguished and continuing achievements in original research’.
Des’s research covers a broad range of topics including comparative government, public policy, racial inequality in the US, American political development and state building, illiberal social policy, and comparative welfare policy. His election to the NAS follows recognition by several other esteemed bodies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
Reflecting on the honour, Des said: ‘I am immensely grateful to the NAS for this great honour. It is a further opportunity to engage in high level social science research with colleagues in the US and elsewhere.’
The Warden, Julia Black, added: ‘I am utterly delighted that Prof Des King has been elected to the NAS. This is a tremendous honour and fitting recognition of his outstanding scholarship.’
David Doyle, Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations, commented: ‘We are incredibly proud of Des. To be elected to the National Academy of Sciences is simply an extraordinary honour, and a testament to the regard that Des is held in globally. I am delighted for him. Huge congratulations from the Department.’
Founded in 1863 by an Act of the United States Congress and signed into existence by Abraham Lincoln, the NAS is a private, non-profit institution that provides independent, objective advice to the US government and the public on matters related to science and technology. Election to the NAS is considered one of the highest marks of distinction for scientists across all disciplines, with members chosen by their peers for outstanding contributions to research.
To learn more about Des’s work, visit his profile.