British Academy Fellow elected to Academy of Medical Sciences

A British Academy Fellow has been elected to the prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS).

Simon Baron-Cohen FBA, professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, has been elected to join the AMS Fellowship alongside 48 of the UK’s world leading researchers.

The new Fellows have been elected for their outstanding contributions to biomedical and health science, for their leading research discoveries, and for translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider society.

Professor Baron-Cohen is Director at the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge and is the author of Mindblindness, The Essential Difference, Prenatal Testosterone in Mind, and Zero Degrees of Empathy. He has written books for parents and teachers including Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts, and Teaching Children with Autism to Mindread.

Founded in 1998, the Academy of Medical Sciences is the UK’s independent body representing the diversity of medical science. Its aim is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society. 

Reacting to the news, Professor Baron-Cohen said:

“It is wonderful that contributions to autism research are recognised by the Academy of Medical Sciences in this way. Autism is both an example of neurodiversity and a disability. Society can do a lot to minimise the disability and to urgently accelerate making autistic people feel accepted, respected, supported, and equal.”

Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said:

“The Academy simply could not tackle major health and policy challenges without our dynamic and diligent brain trust of Fellows. I extend my warmest congratulations to all who are joining us this year, each of whom has earnt this prestige by advancing their own field of biomedical science.

“Later this year the Academy will celebrate 20 years of supporting the translation of biomedical and health research into benefits for society. As we celebrate this special anniversary we stand at a crossroads of both enormous health challenges and great opportunity for medical sciences. So, I am delighted to see the remarkable breadth and depth of the expertise within our 48 new Fellows. We look forward to these experts joining us in addressing the health challenges we face head on and exploiting opportunities to improve health in the UK and internationally.”