He was born and grew up in South Africa. He got a Masters and PhD in Sociology from the University of Cape Town. In 1970 he came to LSE where he completed a Masters in Social Administration.  He then joined the faculty and helped establish the MSc in Social Policy in Developing Countries, alongside Margaret Hardiman and later Anthony Hall.

His first book, Professional Imperialism (1981) argued that the export of western social work was a hangover of empire. This was not perhaps surprising since LSE’s founders and William Beveridge were steeped in a web of colonialism, as Dahrendorf’s history of LSE clearly showed.

In 1985 Midgley moved to the USA. First, he was Professor at Louisiana State University. Then, from 1997, he was Professor and later Dean of the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley.

He was a prolific author and wrote 9 books as sole author and 6 jointly, and he edited 18 volumes of essays and conference proceedings.  In his writing he argued that economic growth alone is not progress and that welfare spending can be economically productive, as well as promoting social justice. Social welfare cannot rely on any single provider – state, market, family or community – but depended on all working together.  Social protection was as important in the global South as in the global North and rich and poor countries can and should learn from each other.

He received numerous Honorary Doctorates and many Awards. His works were translated into six languages, and he held Visiting Chairs in South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong and China.

He lived through changing times. He was married for half a century to Khadija, a remarkable woman who was both talented in her own right as a specialist dialysis nurse and an unfailingly supportive wife. When they married such an inter-racial marriage was illegal under South Africa’s Race Laws.

He was lively company and a great raconteur and reciter of Shakespeare. He loved French cheese and fine wines, which helped the recitations to flow. He did not love exercise and always described himself as “short, fat Jim”. He loved to travel and must in his life have travelled over a million miles – and he loved to come back to London.

He was a trusted colleague, a valued mentor and a generous friend. But what he cared most passionately about was his work. And he worked and worked and wrote and wrote – his collected works amount to more than a million words. 

On his death, the Director of the Centre for Social Development in Africa, Sadiyya Haffejee, aptly wrote that: “His insight, humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to social justice enriched everyone who had the privilege of working with him.”

It is fitting to end with some of his favourite lines from Shakespeare:

                                             “We are such stuff

        As dreams are made on;  And our little life

        Is rounded with a sleep.”

Professor David Piachaud

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Picture 1: Professor David K.C. Jones in his office, August 2016 

The Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science mourns with great sadness the passing of Professor David K.C. Jones, a distinguished scholar, former Head of Department, esteemed colleague, dedicated teacher, and one of the most significant figures in the Department’s modern history. 

Born on 12 June 1940 and educated in Hertfordshire and Warwickshire, he read Geography at King’s College, University of London, graduating with a BSc in Geography with Ancillary Geology in 1965. After spending two years as a postgraduate tutorial student in the same university’s Department of Geography, he joined the Department of Geography at the LSE as Assistant Lecturer in 1967. He then devoted more than half a century of service to the Department at LSE, becoming an integral part of its institutional identity. David was a true presence in the corridors of St Clement’s Building, the former home of the Department, and will be remembered for his charming nature, sharp dress sense, and remarkable leadership. 

David was appointed at a time when geography at LSE was still taught through the Joint School with King’s College, University of London. Having been made Lecturer in 1970, Senior Lecturer in 1982, and Reader in 1985, he subsequently became Professor of Physical Geography in 1990 and served as Head of Department (then called Convenor) on three separate occasions between 1992 and 1996, 1998 and 2002, and 2004 and 2006. His leadership coincided with a particularly consequential period in the Department’s history, notably the dissolution of the decades-long Joint School in 1994–95. At a time of considerable uncertainty, David provided steady, thoughtful, and visionary leadership that enabled Geography at LSE not only to navigate a period of profound change but also to emerge with renewed confidence and purpose. Over the course of his career, the revamped Department of Geography and Environment developed into one of the world’s leading geography departments, distinguished by its internationally renowned teaching and research. 

A geomorphologist by training, David established an international reputation through his research on applied geomorphology, landscape evolution, environmental hazards, and risk assessment. Many colleagues and students alike would remember his office, stacked high with rocks and fossils, geological maps, and surveying equipment, a visible reminder of geography’s breadth as a discipline. His geomorphological research included studies in the United Kingdom and many parts of the Middle East (e.g., Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai) and Asia (e.g., Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China), making major contributions to understanding landslide risk and environmental management. He coordinated the national survey of landsliding, which culminated in Landsliding in Great Britain (HMSO, 1994), and co-authored Landslide Risk Assessment (Thomas Telford, 2004; second edition 2013). His thinking on risk extended well beyond his own field and contributed to wider public debates, including through his contributions to the Royal Society study group’s report Risk: Analysis, Perception and Management (Royal Society, 1992) and his co-editing of Accident and Design: Contemporary Debates in Risk Management (UCL Press, 1996). 

Indeed, David was a leading geomorphologist and a highly respected figure within the geographical profession. Beyond his distinguished academic career at LSE, he held numerous leadership roles in national scholarly societies, including serving as Chairman of the British Geomorphological Research Group (1991–92), Vice-President of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (2000–01), Chair of its 2001 Annual Conference, and a member of the Council of British Geography (COBRIG) (1998-2004). He also served on the Research Committee of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) for over a decade (1977-1990) and played important roles in the Geographical Association and COBRIG. As Managing Editor and later Executive Editor of Geoforum between 1976 and 1993, he helped shape one of the world’s leading geography journals. His contributions to geomorphology were recognised with the Royal Geographical Society’s prestigious Cuthbert Peek Award (1982), and in 2013 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the British Society for Geomorphology, one of the discipline’s highest honours. 

In terms of David’s contribution to the Department, it extended far beyond his research achievements. For much of his career, he was the Department’s sole physical geographer, in a community initially populated by human geographers and planners and later joined by a growing cohort of economists and social scientists. He could easily have retreated into disciplinary specialisation. Instead, he became one of the Department’s great bridge-builders. David recognised that intellectual diversity was one of the Department’s greatest strengths and worked tirelessly to foster connections across different traditions of scholarship. In doing so, he helped sustain a collegial and intellectually open environment that remains central to the Department’s identity today. 

David never wavered in his conviction that a grasp of the fundamentals of the physical environment mattered for LSE students. Generations of students benefited from his commitment to field-based education and his belief that a sound understanding of the physical environment was an essential part of geographical education. He put that conviction into practice each year by running the first-year undergraduate field trip to Juniper Hall in the Surrey Hills, introducing countless students to the practice of geographical observation and enquiry. That field trip continues today, a lasting testament to his influence as both scholar and teacher. For many alumni, it provided a formative introduction to geography as a discipline grounded in observation, curiosity, and engagement with the physical world. 

What was particularly remarkable was that David’s enthusiasm for teaching never waned. Even after retirement, he remained committed to sharing his knowledge with new generations of students and continued to contribute to Environment: Science and Society, one of the Department’s core undergraduate courses. His lectures combined scientific understanding, practical experience and intellectual curiosity in ways that made complex environmental issues accessible and engaging. Fittingly, his final lecture for the Department was delivered in December 2018, bringing to a close five decades of teaching and mentorship at LSE. Few academics can claim such sustained dedication to their students over such a long period, and even fewer can have influenced so many generations of geographers through their teaching. 

Yet David’s influence cannot be measured solely by his formal achievements. For many members of the Department, he was far more than a colleague. He was a mentor, counsellor, a trusted source of advice, and a kind friend. Generations of staff benefited from his wisdom, encouragement, and perspective. Whether discussing academic careers, departmental matters, or broader questions about university life, he was always willing to share his experience and offer thoughtful counsel. He challenged people to achieve more, not to diminish them, but because he recognised their potential and believed they were capable of greater things. Fundamentally, David was a caring individual who wanted the best for others. Through countless conversations, acts of support, and words of encouragement, he helped shape not only individual careers but also the supportive culture that continues to characterise the Department. 

Former colleagues remember his charming manner, his distinctive sense of style, and his wonderful sense of humour. Both in formal and informal settings, David’s dry wit would regularly bring out smiles in those around him. Reflecting his willingness to share both his knowledge and his memories of departmental life, David increasingly became the Department’s unofficial historian and institutional memory. His recollections connected successive generations of staff and students to the Department’s past, providing an invaluable sense of continuity and identity. Many will also remember the reassuring regularity of seeing David on his daily commute through Temple Station and into LSE. For decades, he seemed almost part of the School’s landscape, typically appearing in a beige trench coat, carrying a well-worn leather briefcase in one hand, and making his way towards St Clement’s Building with quiet purpose. It was a familiar sight that became woven into the memory of generations of colleagues – a small but enduring symbol of the continuity, stability, and commitment that he brought to departmental life. 

Even after retirement, as Emeritus Professor, David remained a cherished member of the departmental community, maintaining an active interest in its activities and continuing to be welcomed at seminars, lectures, social gatherings and other departmental events. His enduring connection to the Department reflected the affection and respect he was held in by colleagues old and new. He never ceased to care about the Department and took genuine pleasure in seeing new generations of students and staff contribute to its ongoing success. 

When David celebrated fifty years in the Department in 2016, he marked the occasion by speaking about its long and varied history. It was a fitting role for someone who had not only witnessed so much of that history but also played a central part in shaping it. By then, he had become a living embodiment of the Department’s collective memory, linking its past to its present and helping future generations understand the traditions on which they stood. Few individuals would have contributed so much of themselves to a single academic community over such a prolonged period. 

Picture 2: Professor David K.C. Jones, presenting an overview of the departmental history, 22 September 2016, 

Professor David K.C. Jones leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of scholarship, leadership, teaching and service. His contribution to Geography and Environment at LSE extended far beyond academic accomplishment. He helped guide the Department through periods of challenge and change, nurtured generations of students, championed the importance of physical geography, fostered intellectual exchange across disciplinary boundaries, and sustained a strong sense of community among colleagues. His influence continues to be felt in the Department he helped build and among many people whose lives and careers he touched. While David’s scholarly achievements and leadership roles were considerable, he remained, at heart, a teacher who took genuine pleasure in introducing students to geography and helping them understand the physical world around them. His warm persona continues to resonate in the Department today. 

The Department extends its deepest condolences to David’s family, particularly his wife and colleague, Dame Judith Rees, and to his friends, former colleagues, and former students. He will be remembered with affection, gratitude, and immense respect. Above all, he reminded those around him that an academic department is, at heart, a community sustained by generosity, commitment, and a shared purpose. His place in the history of Geography and Environment at LSE is assured, and his legacy will endure for many years to come. 

The funeral will be held on Monday 27 July at 12noon in Edenbridge, Kent, followed by a wake. Please contact the department at Geog.Dept@lse.ac.uk for further details. 

Hyun Bang Shin, Head of Department 
(with contributions from Tom Smith, Andrés Rodriguez-Pose, Paul Cheshire, and Richard Perkins)
Department of Geography and Environment, LSE 

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Frank Land, who has died aged 97, was a computer pioneer from the era of LEO (Lyons Electronic Office), the world’s first business computer. He was also one of the leading figures in shaping the intellectual and institutional foundations of Information Systems at LSE and internationally. 

Frank and his twin brother Ralph were born in Berlin, Germany in 1928 but fled Nazi Germany in 1939 and came to the UK. After an undergraduate degree at LSE Frank joined J. Lyons and began work on LEO. 

The entire LEO project was a pioneering one and was operating in uncharted territory, developing skills and clarifying issues that were not fully understood beforehand. 

When Frank returned to LSE in 1967, he played a central role in creating the UK’s first academic programme in information systems. He drew on both his experiences with LEO and insights from the socio-technical approach first developed by the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations. Together, these shaped an approach to information systems that recognised that computers mattered, but so did the people using them – and the organisations they worked in. 

Frank’s Information Systems group at the LSE launched a specialist MSc programme in the 1970s called MSc Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems (ADMIS). The LSE continues to have a specialist MSc in Information Systems, now called MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MISDI).  It also has a long-running and successful PhD programme, with over 200 PhDs awarded. 

Many of the graduates from the PhD programme have since taken leading academic positions, ensuring that Frank’s influence can still be felt in lecture halls across the world. Some of Frank’s former students reflect on his influence below. 

In 1998, Frank retired but remained active as a mentor and scholar, with publications appearing as recently as December 2025. 

Frank’s achievements were recognised in many ways including an honorary Doctor of Science from what is now the University of East London. In 1992, he received the IFIP outstanding service award. 

AIS, the Association for Information Systems, awarded him a fellowship in 2000 and, in 2003 the AIS LEO award for distinguished service to the discipline of information systems. In June, 2019 Frank was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019 for services to the Information Systems Industry. 

“There are so few individuals who have had the impact that Frank has had on the Information Systems field. He will be missed not only for his scholarship but for his sense of human kindness, respect for others, his undivided support for what is right, and all-around good nature. For those of us lucky enough to have had him as our thesis advisor, mentor, colleague and co-author we know there will never be another individual quite like Frank,” notes Rudy Hirschheim, now a Professor at Louisiana State University and one of Frank’s PhD students. 

What recurs in all recollections is not just Frank’s scholarship but his character. As Tony Cornford, who first met Frank when he was a second-year undergraduate at LSE in 1972, put it: “I knew Frank for over 50 years, from the age of 19. He undoubtedly was the most influential mentor in my adult life. A beacon of sanity and 100% human being – not so common in academic life.” 

Georgios Doukidis, whose first academic position was at LSE working with Frank and his wife Ailsa, a distinguished LSE Professor of Operational Research, notes: “Beyond remarkable achievements in Information Systems, Frank was known for his integrity, kindness and dedication to helping others. I am blessed to work both with Frank and Ailsa. Their legacy lives through their impressive scientific work and their values.”

Chrisanthi Avgerou, another of Frank’s students, writes: “Frank recognised that information technology mattered not only for firms’ success but also for society at large and national prosperity. With a UNESCO grant for students from developing countries, he introduced courses to build the skills they would need as information systems professionals in their home countries. He also fostered research on information systems in developing countries, pioneering the stream of research on IT and socio-economic development of the IS field”. 

In the early to mid-1980s, when Bob Galliers, another of Frank’s students,  was head of the School of Computing and Quantitative Studies at the Western Australian Institute of Technology’s Business School, he invited Frank to visit with a view to helping with the development and introduction of courses more associated with the organisational implications and management of IT. As a result of this reorientation, the name was changed to the School of Information Systems to more clearly distinguish it from that of Computer Science. Bob notes that: “Frank was one of a kind. There was not and will not be another like him. We shall forever miss him.”

Frank also played a leading role in developing the information systems field nationally and internationally. As Richard Welke recalls: “…before ICIS (and then AIS), there was IFIP TC8 and WG 8.2. Creating 8.2 was challenging as TC8 was largely dominated by very tech-oriented folks. Frank, Enid Mumford and Tim Lincoln were a few of the ‘English mafia’ that helped push for and succeed in getting 8.2 off the ground. IFIP 8.2 played a major role in creating the bridge between the US and European approaches to the information systems field.”

Later, when Frank learned that there were plans for two, European-focused, information systems conferences to be held at the same time, he helped ensure that rather than duplicating work, the two initiatives merged. The resulting event was the first European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) in 1993. The 34^th ECIS conference is taking place in Milan in 2026. 

Frank was the co-founder of the Journal of Information Technology (JIT) in 1986 alongside Professor Igor Aleksander. In the first issue of JIT, Frank recalled Aleksander’s founding vision – that the Association for Information Technology should “primarily enhance communications between those involved with IT, whether they be users, computer scientists, consultants, teachers or industrial or commercial practitioners” – before adding his own view that this should include “whether they be engineers, accountants or social scientists, or whether they work in laboratories on the systems of the future, or work in offices with the systems of today.” That message remains as important today as it did forty years ago and continues to inspire the work of all who knew Frank. Igor Aleksander said: “We lose a person who was not only a leading intellect of this age, but one who defined the very nature of the computing character of this age.”

Frank’s inaugural professorial lecture at LSE “Information Technology: The Alvey Report and Government Strategy,” in 1983, was a prescient commentary on British IT policy. What made Frank’s contribution distinctive, Youngjin Yoo notes, was not just his conclusions but his willingness to read his moment honestly and respond to it – a quality he showed from his first days at LEO to his last lectures at LSE. 

Frank remained supportive of students at LSE. Even in his final years, he took the time to lecture to MSc students about LEO. Every technology involved in that video presentation (the internet, video conferencing, portable computers) came into existence during his lifetime. Fundamentally connecting with his students and sharing ideas remained with him across all these changes. 

Frank leaves behind a legacy that endures in the field he helped shape, the institution he served and the generations of students and scholars he inspired. 

Edgar A. Whitley and Will Venters
Department of Management, LSE 

Frank Land Inaugural lecture at LSE (1983)

BBC: Last Word – Frank Land 

The Centre for Computing History: Frank Land OBE (1928–2026) 

The Guardian: Frank Land Obituary 

LSE Blog: Frank Land – pioneer, professor, and LEO historian 

LSE Condolences: Ailsa Land 

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An Applications Analyst in the Data and Technology Services (DTS) Division, Gordon was a much respected and admired colleague, and friend, who will be missed terribly by so many across our community after nearly 10 years of dedicated service to our School.

The Business Applications team in DTS reflect on their memories working closely with Gordon and express their condolences:

Please accept my sincerest condolences. Gordon was an integral part of our Business Applications team and will be sorely missed by everyone that worked with him during his time at LSE. Gordon was incredibly knowledgeable and was always willing to give his time to help colleagues and users.  I will miss his humour during our team meetings and recall fondly how we would share details of the time spent with family, particularly his grandchildren in our regular one-to-one chats. He leaves a massive hole in our team.

Steve Edmans

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Gordon Finlyason. I had the chance to work with him for the past ten and a half months, and he was always cooperative, friendly, and someone with a great sense of humour. He never hesitated to help whenever I asked, and I truly appreciated that. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.

Ilyas Aslam

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Gordon. He and I worked together for seven years, writing technical documentation and supporting a variety of services. I always found him to be friendly, helpful, and easy‑going, with a wonderfully dry sense of humour. He had a calming aura that brought balance to our team culture.

Gordon will be sorely missed and I’m grateful to have so many fond memories of our time working together. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Paul Farina

Enjoyed our chats over the years on old TV shows that we both watched and recommended to each other

Nigel Boeg

I worked closely with Gordon on several projects, and being new to a university environment (which meant needing a lot of help with unfamiliar systems), Gordon was always kind and generous with his time. I never heard him once complain about his illness, but the thing I’ll remember the most about him was his brilliant sense of humour. He’ll be a huge loss to LSE and his colleagues.

 James Bal

Colleagues and friends are invited to share their own reflections using the comments section.

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LSE is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jeff Hurst, a valued member of the Operations Excellence Programme who worked with many colleagues across our School since the start of OEP in January 2025.  

Jeff had a profound impact on LSE during his time at our School and will be hugely missed by staff, as shown by the reflections and memories shared by colleagues. Some of these are reflected below, and we invite anyone who wishes to share their own tributes to do so using the comments section.  

Neelam Talewar, Director of People and Management Transformation in the HR Division, said: “Jeff worked very closely with me and the HR Division on the Operational Excellence Programme. As a colleague, he was thoughtful, perceptive and genuinely collaborative, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that helped shape and improve our processes. 

“I was fortunate to share the occasional train journey to work with him, and it was during these moments that I came to know him beyond his professional role. He spoke with pride about his love of hockey, about being a devoted father and a doting husband. He shared stories about his mother and how she would slip a £20 note into his pocket every time he left her house, no matter how old he was or where life had taken him. 

“Jeff was kind, quietly generous in spirit, and carried a humility that is increasingly rare. He will be remembered not only for his contribution to our work, but for the warmth and humanity he brought with him.” 

Iain McCracken, Director of Service Delivery in Data and Technology Services (DTS), reflected on behalf of the Division: “Jeff was one of those rare people who made every interaction feel easy. Knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely kind, he brought warmth to every conversation and left a lasting impression on everyone in our team at LSE. 

“We feel privileged to have worked alongside him, and we will miss him greatly. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.” 

Amy Norton, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, shared: “The EDI Division is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Jeff Hurst, a consultant working on the Organisational Excellence Programme. Process mapping isn’t always the most fun or rewarding thing to spend dozens of hours doing, but working with the wonderful Jeff Hurst made it both of these things. The whole team spent a large chunk of last spring and summer working with Jeff and his colleague Tara to map all of our key processes, and we were privileged to get to know Jeff during this period and benefit from his experience and support. He was extremely knowledgeable, a genius with the tech and software and just unfailingly professional, warm and good humoured.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to Jeff’s family, friends and colleagues.” 

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It is with great sadness that the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa must announce the passing of Professor Tim Allen.  

Tim was the inaugural director of the Institute and a Professor in Development Anthropology in the Department of International Development at LSE. A pioneer in his field, he conducted extensive ethnographic research across East Africa and published and taught on tropical diseases, epidemics, transitional justice, humanitarianism, refugees, witchcraft, and public authority.  

Tim was a Principal Investigator of the Justice and Security Research Programme and the Centre for Public Authority and International Development. These trailblazing global research consortia explored often-hidden governance dynamics in overlooked places, challenged received wisdom, and shaped policy.   

Tim worked closely with his wife, Professor Melissa Parker, and their influential work on neglected tropical diseases, epidemics, and pandemics interrogated received doctrine about how diseases are understood and controlled across Africa.  

In 2006, he published the seminal book Trial Justice, which examined the controversy around the International Criminal Court’s first arrest warrants in northern Uganda. Tim later served as an expert witness for the ICC prosecution during the trial of Dominic Ongwen. His intellectual commitment to northern Uganda never faltered. Later in his career, he published Lawino’s People: The Acholi of Uganda, based on Okot p’Bitek’s DPhil thesis, the celebrated Acholi writer, poet, and anthropologist. Tim found p’Bitek’s DPhil thesis in Oxford’s Library for Social and Cultural Anthropology and believed it to be a seminal work that deserved wider attention. 

Tim was a firm believer in placing Africa at the heart of the LSE and was a proud advocate of the School’s engagement with the continent. He would regularly remind colleagues of the African leaders who have studied here and was a champion for future generations through initiatives such as the Programme for African Leadership. Among his many contributions, he was instrumental in creating a chair in African Development to support research and teaching from an African perspective, and he helped launch the Africa Summit in 2014 to serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange. He was the driving force behind the foundation of the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, which has secured an enduring institutional commitment to African research, scholarship, and leadership at LSE. 

As a PhD supervisor, he was always on hand for students with words of advice when things seemed too much, or fieldwork hit a brick wall. He took pride in the wide range of topics and students he successfully guided to completion. Tim’s openness to different ways of seeing the world was inspiring for many and proved invaluable when building multidisciplinary teams able to produce research at the highest levels. 

When in his company, he always made you feel he had time for you. Tim was particularly supportive of researchers with young families, and in this, he led by example. He and Melissa took their children to northern Uganda on fieldwork trips, and his infectious enthusiasm for adventure and his total commitment to family life meant that he always believed the two could be combined. This was transformative for many colleagues, particularly women, who might otherwise have felt that starting a family would mean the end of long-term fieldwork.  

He was well-known and much loved in northern Uganda, where he and Melissa had worked for decades. Tim never tired of fieldwork and always prioritised it and the people he was working with. In his work, this is where he was happiest and most energised.  

Tim knew how to live a meaningful life and managed to combine affection, warmth, seriousness, mischievousness, and humour in all of his interactions. He treated people as individuals and equals regardless of their status, and he found something interesting in everyone and every discussion.  

Tim was a polymath who wore his knowledge lightly. He had a professorial understanding of anthropology, development, and political economy. But he would regularly dazzle colleagues with his encyclopaedic knowledge of music from opera to Korean pop. He was a talented painter, loved art, and was a serial marathon runner who raised money for the Anthony Nolan leukaemia charity, which helped him through his first battle with cancer.  

He taught everyone at the Institute to take risks, to think big, to always carry a dose of scepticism, to “speak truth to power”  and to do it all with care and joy.  

His legacy will be the example he left: to be bold, brave, and warm; to nurture others, to insist that nothing is impossible, and to do it all with a clear vision and a deep joyfulness of spirit. And if anyone gives us a hard time for doing so, we should tell them to “eat dirt, dingbat.” 

He leaves behind his beloved wife Melissa, his three adored children and two grandchildren, his FLIA family, and the hundreds of students, researchers, and academics with whom he worked.  

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Professor Sir David Metcalf, Emeritus Professor of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science

The Centre for Economic Performance is greatly saddened to share the news that our good friend and colleague David Metcalf has passed away. Together with Richard Layard and Stephen Nickell, David set up the Centre for Labour Economics, which became the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) in 1990 where he was the deputy director and later led CEP’s Labour Markets programme. David was a member of the LSE’s Economics department, joining in the 1960s. He later went on to help establish the economics department at Kent and then returned to LSE to become Professor of Industrial Relations. David worked extensively on the economic impact of unions; pay systems and structures; and on productivity, writing over 100 publications on labour economics and industrial relations, many with current and past members of the Centre.

Knighted in 2013, David was dedicated to public service, alongside his academic work. In the mid-1970s he was Special Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Security, at a time of IMF crisis and incomes policy. He also played a role in introducing child benefit and the earnings-related pension scheme. He was a founding member of the Low Pay Commission, serving for 10 years from 1997 to 2007 advising the government on National Minimum Wage rates. David was the first Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee from 2007 to 2016. He was also the first Director of Labour Market Enforcement, appointed by the Home Office and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, from 2017 to 2019.

David was a wonderful colleague and constantly enriched life at the CEP. His passion for sports saw him playing CEP 5-a-side football into his sixties, as an MCC member he enjoyed the cricket at Lords, he was a Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holder, and he owned a share of a national hunt horse and also chaired the Starting Price Regulatory Commission.

Stephen Machin, Director, Centre for Economic Performance and Professor of Economics, LSE, said “We will miss David very much. This is a great loss of a true star, a legend in labour economics and industrial relations. And a brilliant person, who lived life to the full, who everyone liked and got on with, at work and outside. David was not just a superb academic, but also a total inspiration on how to do research, to see the big picture in doing so, and to impact policy in the real world. He was a trailblazer in public service, the first to chair the Migration Advisory Committee, one of the founder members of the Low Pay Commission, the first Director of Labour Market Enforcement. Many others from CEP, me included, followed his lead in taking up important public service positions.

Personally, Dave had a huge impact on me and my work. When I was a PhD student at Warwick, he wrote to me to ask to see my work on unions and productivity, and raved about it. When I came to London in 1988, he (with Richard Layard and Sushil Wadhwani) was absolutely integral in getting me involved with the Centre for Labour Economics (last couple of years) and the then new CEP when it started in 1990. I owe him a lot, he inspired me hugely throughout, including in co-authored research on unions and beyond.

David’s influence and impact on economics and industrial relations cannot be underestimated. He was an amazing mentor, advisor and inspiration to many household names in labour economics and industrial relations. His institutional knowledge, used to inform his economic research, was deep and insightful. He was brilliant at making coherent, robust evidence accessible to people so they can use it for good. His highly inquisitive nature of pursuing important, and at the same time, novel research areas led to a huge number of great, totally original, academic papers. These include wide-ranging studies, far too many to mention, but for example including superb papers on: the Smithfield meat market pre-entry closed shop; an array of union impacts on wages and economic performance; human resources and performance pay, including individual jockey performance and incentive pay in horse racing.

David was a great friend and colleague. We will truly miss his presence and insight. And his impact in making the workplace and the world a better place. Dave made a real difference and will be hugely missed.”

Richard Layard, founder-director of the Centre for Economic Performance, reflected: “David’s death is a real shock. He was a great colleague and friend.

We worked together for 55 years (on and off). When he came to LSE, David taught Labour Economics and I went to his excellent lectures. He had the room next to mine with a shared party wall and soon there developed a sustained level of tapping on his blackboard. It was Steve Nickell learning labour economics from David (as I did) and David learning econometrics from Steve.

Soon after that (in 1974) the three of us, David, Steve and I, with Chris Pissarides founded the Centre for Labour Economics. It was an exciting time. But after some years David went off to advise the minister Stan Orme, and then to take up a chair outside LSE. After some years he came back to LSE as Professor of Industrial Relations. He developed a passionate interest in how pay and work organisation affect productivity. Much of this work he did within the Centre for Economic Performance, as the Centre was by then called.

David was Deputy Director of the CEP for some years and did it very well. But eventually public life took him over. He was a hugely influential member of the successful Low Pay Commission, and then the founder-chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, a difficult job which he did in style.

David was a wonderfully warm person. Everybody liked him. He threw himself into whatever he was doing. Apart from being a thoughtful and productive scholar, he was also great fun. I personally, and many others, owe him so much.”

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

The funeral will be on Thursday 26 February at 1pm in London, followed by a wake. Please contact Harriet Ogborn (h.ogborn@lse.ac.uk ) for further details.

The post In memory of David Metcalf (1942-2026) first appeared on Condolences.

LSE London is greatly saddened to share the news that our close friend, colleague and co-author Annie Edge has died. As an independent researcher, Annie worked for many years with Christine Whitehead and Kath Scanlon, and LSE London’s work benefited enormously from her qualitative research skills, her interest in housing and planning issues and her deep knowledge and love of London. 

After taking an undergraduate degree from Bristol in human geography and a teaching qualification at Cambridge, Annie worked at the Centre for Policy Studies, the think tank then headed by Sir Keith Joseph. There she worked alongside Oliver Letwin, amongst others, and wrote speeches for Margaret Thatcher. She also spent time as a journalist at The Times, honing the interview skills that were to be so valuable in her academic work.  Annie combined her education and research interests at the Girls Day School Trust, where she pioneered ‘away weekends’ for gifted and talented students from GDST schools. 

Annie was proud of her long relationship with LSE.  Her association with the School began in 1989 when she embarked on a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning (where she was taught by Christine).  She stayed on to work with Michael Hebbert, then-convenor of the MSc course. Together they produced The Dismantlers: The London Residuary Body (1994), the definitive study of the demise of the Greater London Council. She also collaborated with Anne West on a study of secondary education systems across Europe, which found that teaching styles varied hugely across countries. 

She first worked with Kath and Christine in 1992, researching the economics of listed buildings.  In recent years she rejoined the team on several occasions, carrying out research into topics including homelessness and temporary accommodation, planning policy, home-improvement schemes and the use of housing wealth. Despite her diagnosis with a rare incurable condition in 2017 she continued to work, keen to contribute and maintaining her enthusiasm for discovering new things.  

Annie shared Kath’s taste for exploring the capital by bike (and in Annie’s case, motorcycle) and for researching London buildings; she was especially knowledgeable about the neighbourhood histories of Hackney and Islington. She enjoyed spending time in the Swiss Alps with her husband Jerry and their children and grandchildren, to whom she was devoted.   

Annie volunteered for over 20 years at the Geffrye Museum, the world’s only museum of the home.  She also became a presiding magistrate, an often demanding role to which Annie was especially suited because of her calm thoughtfulness and common sense.   

Annie’s character was reflected by the courage and optimism with which she faced her illness, even in its debilitating final stages. We met her as a student and colleague but she became a true and beloved friend: kind, insightful, generous, interested in everything. We will miss her. 

The post In memory of Anne Edge, 1952 – 2025  first appeared on Condolences.

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL, an esteemed alumnus, Honorary Fellow, and Emeritus Governor of the School.  

Sir Robert Worcester was given a knighthood in 2005 for his outstanding services to political, social, and economic research. Sir Robert was a towering figure in the field of social research and public opinion, best known as the founder of MORI (Market & Opinion Research International), which became one of the most respected research organisations in the UK and internationally. His lifelong commitment to understanding public sentiment helped shape public discourse, policy, and academic inquiry over many decades. 

An American by birth who made the UK his home, Sir Robert’s association with LSE spanned many years and many roles. He was a dedicated supporter of the School, generously offering his time, insight, and leadership. As an Honorary Fellow and Emeritus Governor, his contributions were invaluable in strengthening the institution’s commitment to social science and civic engagement. Among these was his role as a founding member of the LSE100 Steering Committee and the establishment of the Sir Robert Worcester Prize for Exceptional Academic Performance (2012-2024). This prize, awarded annually to the student or students who achieved the highest overall mark in LSE100 – an interdisciplinary course, taken by all first-year undergraduate students as part of their degree programme – reflected his deep belief in interdisciplinary learning and academic excellence. 

Beyond LSE and his professional accomplishments, Sir Robert was a passionate advocate for the county of Kent, where he lived for many years. He played a vital role in preserving and promoting Kent’s heritage, environment, and civic life. His work as a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and involvement in numerous local charities and organisations reflected a deep sense of public duty and personal conviction. 

Sir Robert’s legacy is profound. He combined intellectual curiosity with a tireless commitment to public service, embodying the values LSE strives to uphold. His influence will continue to be felt through the institutions he shaped, the causes he championed, and the generations of students and researchers he inspired. 

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by his wisdom, generosity, and leadership. 

The post In memory of Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL (1933-2025) first appeared on Condolences.

Conor joined LSE as founding Director of the Centre for Human Rights in 2002, a position he held until he became Professor of Human Rights in the Law School in 2009. He also served as Director of the Institute of Public Affairs from 2012 to 2016, a position in which he formed a formidable array of intellectual relationships right across the School, exemplified in his Gearty Grillings podcasts – conversations defined by his deep and wide-ranging intellectual curiosity as well as his personal charm and wit. 

A charismatic and devoted teacher, Conor brought tremendous learning and energy to his courses in civil liberties, human rights and anti-terrorism law. He also embodied the power of reasoned argument, as the caution about human rights which marked his early scholarship gradually gave way to a meticulously argued conviction in their potential for human good.  This is reflected in an important body of scholarship, notably his Hamlyn Lectures, Can Human Rights Survive? (2006); Principles of Human Rights Adjudication (2004); and On Fantasy Island. Britain, Europe, and Human Rights (2016).  In the post-2001 world, he became a leading scholarly voice on state uses and abuses of anti-terrorism law, with contributions such Liberty and Security (2013) and – most recently – Homeland Insecurity: the Rise and Rise of Anti-Terrorism Law (2024).  His work was shaped by a keen historical sensibility as well as an appreciation of the risks of anti-terrorism policy which surely had deep roots in his Irish background. 

Conor was that rare thing: someone who was brilliant at every aspect of his job. As well as being a gifted teacher and an important scholar, he was an influential public intellectual, writing regularly for the London Review of Books, Prospect and many other outlets, notably his own beautifully curated website which spanned his personal experiences and his intellectual, political and cultural passions: his most recent post was a sparkling and thoughtful meditation on his experience of Wagner’s Ring Cycle at Bayreuth, which also appeared in The Tablet. He was also a respected legal practitioner: a founding member of Matrix Chambers and an honorary KC and Bencher of both the Middle Temple in London and the King’s Inn in Dublin; and a Fellow of the Royal Irish Academy and of the British Academy, where he served as Vice President for Social Sciences from 2019 to 2023.

Underpinning Conor’s professional achievements were exceptional personal qualities: not merely extraordinary energy, curiosity and vitality, but ready humour, real kindness, and outstanding warmth. His office door was always open, often with students waiting outside for the appointments with which he was so generous, or colleagues chatting informally, more often than not accompanied by gusts of laughter. We treasure his memory, even as we measure the depth of his loss. Our keenest sympathy goes to his wife Aoife Nolan and his children Eliza, Owen, Éile and Fiadh.

With thanks to LSE Law School for sharing this tribute.

The post In memory of Conor Gearty (1957-2025) first appeared on Condolences.