A Durham University emeritus professor has received one of the social sciences’ major professional honours after being elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.
Professor Carol Adams was selected in recognition of her contribution to the social sciences throughout her academic career. She is among 74 new Fellows elected from organisations across the UK and internationally.
Recognition for a career in accounting and sustainability
The Fellowship is awarded to people who have made significant contributions to social science through research excellence, professional practice and wider societal impact. Fellows are chosen through an independent peer-review process that recognises both achievement in their field and the effect of their work.
Professor Adams is widely recognised for research covering accounting, accountability, sustainability and integrated reporting. Her work has influenced academic debate, professional practice and policy development internationally.
Much of her career was spent at Durham University Business School. During that time, she served as Professor of Accounting and contributed to research, teaching and the development of the discipline.
Professor Adams sets out the wider role of accounting
Responding to the honour, Professor Adams said: “I’m grateful to the Academy of Social Sciences for this recognition of my contribution. “Accounting and accountability play a critical role in the relationship between organisations and society, shaping what gets measured, what’s valued and ultimately what gets done. Throughout my career, I've worked to strengthen the positive role accounting can play in sustainable development, through research, roles with key global standard-setting bodies, and efforts to shift the profession's thinking. Accounting and accountants must look beyond narrow monetary measures of impact if we are to meet the significant challenges in our rapidly changing world. “Thank you to the Academy of Social Sciences for its work to enhance the impact of social science research.”
Her comments emphasised the relationship between organisations and society, and the need for accounting to consider more than narrow monetary measures when assessing impact.
New Fellows to join autumn 2026 cohort
Academy president Will Hutton FAcSS said the new Fellows included influential voices whose work is expanding knowledge, challenging assumptions and informing decision-making across government, business, education and civil society.
The Academy’s Fellowship includes around 1,750 leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors. Professor Adams and the other newly elected Fellows will be formally welcomed as part of the Academy’s autumn 2026 cohort.
The announcement was published by Durham University on 3 September 2026. Further information about Professor Adams is available through her Durham University Business School staff profile, while details of the Fellowship are available from the Academy of Social Sciences.