Lancaster University academic takes on Royal Society of Arts role

A Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) academic has taken a leading role uniting Lancashire members of a prestigious global learned society with others across northern England.

Dr Pavel Bogolyubov, a senior teaching fellow in the Department of Organisation, Work and Technology, has been appointed as the Royal Society of Arts’ (RSA) convenor for North Lancashire and Cumbria.

The RSA is more than 260 years old, with more than 30,000 members worldwide – around 300 of them spread between Preston and the Cumbrian border with Scotland.

Its aim is to promote and deliver solutions for lasting social change, with a focus on areas such as the future of work and a membership body including community champions, entrepreneurs, academics and business professionals – anyone with a desire to tackle society’s challenges.

Dr Bogolyubov, an RSA Fellow – following in the footsteps of the likes of Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Charles Dickens, Adam Smith, and even Karl Marx – is hopeful the North Lancashire and Cumbria chapter can help to address issues such as homelessness in Cumbria and social regeneration in the Morecambe Bay area.

“It is an honour to work with the Royal Society of Arts to help bring together its members across North Lancashire and Cumbria,” said Dr Bogolyubov. “In my work, I share many beliefs with the RSA, in wanting to improve people’s lives and the world of work.

“The work of LUMS and the RSA complement each other – both organisations strive to address world problems for societal benefit – and by bringing LUMS and the RSA together, we can work to each other’s strengths and ensure impact in the real world.”

Professor Claire Leitch, LUMS interim executive dean, added: “We are delighted that Pavel has taken on this new role with the Royal Society of Arts, which will help to build the relationship between the RSA and LUMS. We share many common goals, and working with the RSA and its membership across North Lancashire and Cumbria can only help to advance both our causes.”

One of Dr Bogolyubov’s first steps in his role is to bring the members from across the region together for a series of events. He is launching regular meetings for Society Fellows, as well as their friends and business connections, starting this Spring. The events will include both seminars and roundtable discussions of important issues, and more informal gatherings.

The first event will take place on Thursday, February 10th, starting at 6pm, at Lancaster University Management School. The speakers will Professor Jane O’Brien, LUMS Associate Dean for Engagement, and RSA Fellow Rachel Holliday, from Time to Change (West Cumbria), a community interest company which aims to tackle homelessness in West Cumbria through the provision of 24-hour emergency accommodation.