Guest Writer As graduation season rolls around we asked our alumni to share the professors who made the biggest impact on their lives. Whether it’s unforgettable lectures, career-inspiring advice, or being someone we turn to for support: we pay tribute to the staff at York who shaped us into the people we are today.
Professor David Waddington, head of Chemistry Department from 1983 to 1992
“The lecturers all had different styles but I was totally amazed by David’s, even the most difficult concepts were made easily understandable. It was as if he knew how our brains worked and what was needed – something vital with chemistry. I achieved my ambition in becoming a chemistry teacher and was lucky to teach at some of the best sixth-form colleges in the country.
Throughout my career I had so many letters and comments from students on how much I helped them with understanding chemistry and getting them the results they needed, and that all came about because I modelled my teaching style on David’s! I owe my love of the subject and the most enjoyable career to Professor David Waddington.” – Michael
“David helped me get a PhD through difficult circumstances.” – Andy
Professor Kathleen Jones, founder of the Department of Social policy and social work in 1965
“Kathleen was one of the pioneers to recruit non-traditional students in early 1980s… She allowed many ‘drop-outs’ like me to resume their university education.” – Anon
“She was perhaps quite rightly suspicious of a third year Computer Science student wanting to do the MA in Social Policy, and interviewed me accordingly. Fortunately I passed the audition, enjoyed the course immensely and got the degree.” – Phil
Betty, ‘the tea lady at York’, 1970s
‘I worked catering one summer with Betty and some other nice ladies. She was loud, hilarious, efficient (and patient with inefficient me I suppose) and a very kind person. Then there were the Wentworth porters, always telling you a tall story. That was an education!” – Marion
Dr Keith Alderman (1963 to 2003) and Professor Sue Mendus CBE (1989 to 2012), Department of Politics
“Keith was the most tolerant, witty, sarcastic, supportive and ultimately kind supervisor. I still think of him all the time. He was inspirational while being the least pompous person you could meet. He and the wonderful professor Sue Mendus are the reasons I have a degree.” – Tom
“As well as guiding my studies Keith helped me emotionally get through my finals. He invested time, over and above the norm, in helping us to succeed. I remember this also included giving me access to his vast stock of old newspapers to use for research. I still think about him often when anything interesting happens in UK Parliament.” – Rowan
Dr Jane Elliott, Department of English 2005 to 2011
“Jane made me fall in love with Caribbean Literature in my final year of BA English at York. She was the most enthusiastic, engaging, and inspirational tutor. I ended up pursuing a Masters in Caribbean and Postcolonial Literature and completing a PhD in Caribbean women’s writing because of her!” – Rachel
Dr Rob Aitken, Department of Politics and Director of colleges, 1999 to 2024
“As a lecturer Rob’s module on Ethnicity and Conflict was one of the most interesting and informative I took in my time at York, and has shaped the way I look at a lot of global events (especially important more recently).
As Derwent provost he was a fierce supporter and friend to all the clubs and societies I was involved with, none more so than the college rugby team. He helped to create a phenomenal community and atmosphere within the college and most of my best friends to this day are people I met in my first few weeks in his Derwent. I sincerely hope he is recognised for the many years of effort and his overall contribution to university life.” – Anon
Dr Helen Goodchild, Department of Archeology, 2010 to present
“I really appreciated how much Helen stood out from the crowd, how driven she was with her career and happy to show young people her expertise.” – Lili
Professor Richard Fletcher, Department of History, 1969 to 2001
“When I went to York in 1989 for my interview this wonderful, twinkly and gentle person put me at ease and seemed genuinely interested in what was saying. When I had an anxiety attack during my finals he was the person I sought out. He spoke to me in such a calm way that I was able to refocus and carry on. He was lovely.” – Debs
Dr Nicky Losseff, Department of Music, 1993 to 2016
“I loved my Beethoven module with Dr Nicky Losseff during my time at York as a Music student – she was so passionate!” – Anon
Professor Peter Lamarque, Department of Philosophy, 2000 to Present
“Peter was my supervisor for all my time at York (BA and MA) and was Head of Department when I started so I was very intimidated. However, Peter was lovely, very kind, conscientious, and supremely knowledgeable and passionate about Philosophy.
Peter saw me through highs and lows, was never judgemental, just a gentle sounding board or nudge in the right direction. He probably won’t remember me, but he made me believe in myself and for that I will always remember him.” – Becky
Dr Melissa Oliver-Powell, Department of English, 2021 to Present
“I was part of an MA group in her first module and her enthusiasm for film was contagious! She was really supportive, a good laugh and always encouraged us to come up with our own ideas.” – Mikki
Greville Bloodworth, Founding professor of Electronics Department 1978 to 1996
“Greville was an inspirational founder of the Electronics Department. He combined academic drive with humour. He was prepared to ask the advice and listen to students and evolve the course. A true character. He left a thriving department and a legacy of scholarships.” – Ian (aka Jack)
Dr Katie Smith, Department of Biology, 2014 to present
“A great lecturer who made learning really engaging and clear, always went above and beyond for her students and was a great role model.” – Jessica
Professor Gwyn Williams, Chair of the History Department 1965 to 1974
“Gwyn was an inspiring, enthusiastic, caring, great raconteur who enjoyed Cuba Libras in The Charles!” – Anon
Professor Erica Sheen, Department of English and Related Literature 2007 to present
“I owe my love of independent film to Erica, who introduced me to countless directors whom I had never heard of before. She shaped the course of my degree and allowed me, an extremely nervous 20 year old, to speak at a conference. And I will always remember her dog joining our COVID era seminars on Zoom!” – Maya
Thanks to all our alumni who contributed their memories of the professors who shaped them. If there’s a York member of staff who you’d like to celebrate, why not share your memories of them in the comments?
Professor Mariana López has been a true inspiration since day one. I came in 2017 for my MSc in TFTV, where she was one of my lecturers, and I ended up staying in York to pursue a PhD supervised by Prof López. Not only is she brilliant in the fields of immersive sound design and accessibility, but she is one of the kindest, and most dedicated humans I’ve ever met. Witnessing a Latin American woman succeeding and leading positive changes for a fairer community in a white male dominated industry has been incredibly empowering.
I think hardly a day has gone by in the 29 years I’ve worked in Archaeology and Heritage, that I haven’t thought of Jane Grenville – she gave me the best start I could imagine. She’s told me that the MA in the Archaeology of Buildings has changed a lot since my day, and quite right. Nevertheless, without her inspiration and help, I would never have travelled this road.
One must not forget the memorable sociology lectures from Laurie Taylor when I was at York,1973-76.
He was inspirational and gave me a lifelong interest in the subject .
Barry Crocker Ba Hons Econ
Es indeed! Dave Waddington was an exceptional Chemist AND an exceptional teacher. He interviewed me for place at York way back in 1971. I returned to school to tell my friends that the chap who wrote our Organic Chemistry textbook had interviewed me!!
But I would also pay tribute to many others; like Bruce Gilbert, David Goodall, Mike Mawby and John Lindsay-Smith – who always lectured with his close friend – the parrot on his shoulder.
I’d also want to give much praise to the most wonderful porter in the Chemistry block whose name, in my advanced years I struggle to recall. He was so kind and helpful. Really good for our mental health. I too became a teacher and loved bringing my admiring students to visit York.
The last reunion was wonderful too. Might we have another soon??
Wendy Sharp nee Hardy
Chemistry with Education 1972 – 1975
Prof. David Waddington was an outstanding tutor. He gave me some private tutorials that got me through thermodynamics! Could not have done it without him.
Dr Stan Higgins OBE FRSC CChem
Lectures from Prof Peter Main, Dr Richard Keesing and Dr Derek Jacobs were the highlight of many a week in the early 2000s physics department. However, I think the one to top them all was the late Prof Jim Matthew with his inimitable style, good humour, passion for the subject and genuine care for his students. On the threshold of wisdom!
Professor Jonathan Dollimore.
As an MA student, I was fortunate to have Mr.Dollimore as my tutor,the most interesting tutor I have had during my studies.He was brilliant at delivering all these interesting lectures on re reading literature;challenging established “truths”, voicing those who traditionally had no voice and were marginalised,helping us perceive what lied beyond the obvious and providing us with new perspectives.Personally,I feel that Mr.Dollimore was a modern day Renaissance Wit who would dare to state the Truth,no matter how inconvenient it would be,an impressive mind indeed.
Professor Peter French ( Linguistics department) has been supportive and an inspiration for many graduate students. As an international PhD student under his supervision, I learned how to be a good researcher. His support and encouragement continues after the degree. He is a real mentor. And he made a great contribution to the field of forensic linguistics.
Bill Forsyth and I.R Hills (Department of Economic and Related Studies)
I was a mature undergraduate from 1987 to 1990.
I think Bill was fairly new to the department when I was there? He was a great teacher, especially in his seminars. He expected high standards from his students but was always there to support you if you were struggling! His area of expertise was Russian economic history.
Rid Hills was a real character! Not only a lecturer in the department of Economic and Related Studies but also the Labour leader of York City Council. He was an admissions tutor and interviewed me for entry onto the degree. I was a mature student with no A levels or O levels just a one year Access course behind me from Fircroft College in Birmingham! We hardly talked about education as he seemed more interested in my personality and character. I really liked Rod as he was not only a good teacher but very down to earth. Good sense of humour too!
Bernard
Dr. McIntyre (Industrial Chemistry and Economics, 1977-1980 for me), who might have coined the word “coolth” to oppose “warmth”. Fascinating visits to ICI Wilton (“The Wilton Hilton”), Hickson and Welsh (google them), and Stones brewery.
Professor ROC Norman (Dick). My thesis supervisor from 1967 to 1970 was my model for later years doing post doctoral research, academic and then industrial R&D until I retired in 2005! His almost motto was “ If you get at the end where you thought you were going at the beginning it wasn’t real research”! I applied that in my professional and to some extent my career which took me from York to Indiana to Manchester to Port Sunlight to New Jersey to Toronto!
Gwyn Williams was the most inspiring teacher I have ever had. His special US history seminar 1968 ‘Democracy, and the making of the American People’ was where, thanks to him, I found a voice, and my place in the world. I will never, ever forget him and my fellow participants. I learnt from Gwyn – how to be a historian – do research – write- with joy and the spirit of adventure and truth telling – to work with others on projects – to believe in myself- and to show how history and politics can intertwine.
Dr Elizabeth Peretz, History and Education BA, 1966-9
Professor John Paynter from the Music Department in 1988. He was my supervisor. Always asked challenging questions and knew all about the latest thinking in music education. He was the one who recommended that I go to the Institute of Education in London for teacher training. This was the first step in what became a great career working in schools and then later as School Improvement Advisor and one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education.
Professor Kay Jones (social policy) and Dr Keith Alderman (politics) were a lifetime inspiration to me. I graduated 30 years ago, thanks to their friendship and confidence in me. I think of them both every day. The two cleverest, funniest people I have ever met, who challenged me and showed me true friendship.