Durham University: Fellowship for world-class scholar

As a world Top 100 university, we are proud to be home to academics who are acclaimed experts in their fields.

Professor Beng Huat See, from our School of Education, is one such expert. She is a world-leading authority on randomised controlled trials in education and the evaluation of education programmes and policies.

Now, Professor See has been awarded Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences, as a further recognition of her outstanding expertise and contribution to the field of educational research.

Committed to education

Beng Huat is committed to improving the outcomes of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and enhancing the capacity of teachers to support children.

She began her career as a secondary school teacher in Singapore, and after dedicating over 16 years to teaching, both in Singapore and the UK, she turned her expertise to research.

Professor See is currently leading a project funded by the Economic Social and Research Council (ESRC), investigating teacher shortages in England and looking at initiatives to help attract and retain teachers.

Her previous research has also looked at how arts, parental involvement and critical thinking skills can impact on young people’s academic achievements, attitudes and behaviours.

Leading authority

As a sought-after expert in her field, Beng Huat has given evidence to select committees and inquiries for both the House of Commons and the Scottish Government.

She is on the expert advisory group for the Education Endowment Foundation, and a member of the ESRC Grants Assessment Panel (GAP).

She is also a panel advisor for the Cabinet Office What Works Trials Advice Panel for civil servants, part of the Prime Minister’s Implementation Unit.

Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences are recognised for the excellence and impact of their work and their wider contributions to the social sciences for public benefit.

In addition to the Academy of Social Sciences, Beng Huat is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (2015), the Wolfson Institute for Health and Wellbeing (2016) and the Higher Education Academy (2017).