Leading UWTSD academic elected as Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales
03.05.2022
Professor Bettina Schmidt from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David has been elected as a Fellow of The Learned Society of Wales.
Bettina Schmidt is a Professor in the Study of Religions at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David where she teaches on the study of religions and anthropology of religions courses. She has an academic background in Cultural Anthropology together with Religious Studies and African Languages at the University of Marburg in Germany. In 2004 she moved to the UK and taught first at Oxford and then Bangor University before moving on to UWTSD in 2010.
Bettina has served as President of the British Association for Study of Religions and as Vice-President of TRS-UK. Until recently she was the deputy chair of the sub-panel for Theology and Religious Studies in REF2021.
Election to the Fellowship is a public recognition of excellence, is keenly competed, and takes place following a rigorous examination of each nominee’s achievements in their relevant field. On hearing the news, Prof Bettina Schmidt commented:
“It really is an honour to be elected as a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and to have my academic achievements recognised in this way. I very much look forward to contributing to the society’s activities and work in the future.”
This year, sixty-six new Fellows have been elected to the Learned Society of Wales. Specialisms run from aerospace engineering to the history of African Europeans, ceramic microstructures to the Baroque violin, women in surgery to the National Trust and much else in-between.
Professor Hywel Thomas, President of the Society said:
“The expertise of our new Fellows is outstanding. The range of research shows that Wales is well-placed to meet the environmental, technological, social, cultural, political and health challenges we face.
“The Society’s ability to bring together this talent allows us to initiate and influence important debates about how Wales, the UK and the world can navigate the turbulent waters we are in today.
“I am most pleased that 50% of our new Fellows are women. This shows we are starting to meet our commitments on equality, diversity and inclusion. There is further to go, as we work to make the Society reflect Wales’ diversity, but this is an important step.”
Established in 2010, the Learned Society of Wales uses the knowledge of its experts to promote research, inspire learning, and provide independent policy advice. The yearly addition of new Fellows aids the Society in achieving these aims.
Further Information
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