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In memory of Jean MacRae (1935-2025)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean MacRae (formerly Whitley) on 25 May 2025.

Jean worked in LSE’s Department of Sociology, providing valued support to the department’s administration in the 1980s and 1990s. With strong focus and direction, she went on to study for her PhD under Professor Antony D Smith later in the 1990s.

Suzi Hall, current Head of Department said: 

“Jean worked in the Department of Sociology, providing valued support to our department administration in the 1980s and 1990s. With strong focus and direction, she went on to study for her PhD. We send our warmth and condolences to Jean’s family.”

Jean’s daughter shared that “…LSE was a very important chapter in Jean’s life and shaped much of her career and legacy.”

Donations can be made in her name to Diabetes UK.

The funeral takes place on Monday 16 June (12:30pm) at St John’s Lindow, Knutsford Road Wilmslow SK9 6EL.

For further details email MacRaeRidyard@gmail.com.

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In memory of Stanley Fischer (1943-2025)

The London School of Economics and Political Science mourns the passing of Stanley Fischer, one of our most distinguished alumni and a towering figure in global economics and policy. Professor Fischer, who died on May 31 at the age of 81, exemplified the LSE spirit of rigorous scholarship combined with real-world impact.

Born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) in 1943, Fischer’s journey to economic prominence began at LSE, where he earned his BSc and MSc degrees in economics between 1962 and 1966. Inspired by the quality of writing in John Maynard Keynes’ “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money,” he had applied for and won a scholarship to study at LSE — a decision that would shape not only his own remarkable career but also the field of macroeconomics itself. He then continued his pursuit of a PhD at MIT and graduated in 1969.

Fischer’s intellectual foundation propelled him to become one of the most influential economists of his generation. His groundbreaking work bridging Keynesian economics with rational expectations helped establish what became known as New Keynesian Economics, fundamentally shaping modern macroeconomic policy.

Beyond academia, Fischer distinguished himself as a practitioner of the highest order, serving as chief economist of the World Bank (1988-90), first deputy managing director at the International Monetary Fund (1994-2001), governor of the Bank of Israel (2005-13), and vice chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve (2014-17). His leadership helped avert financial crises across decades and continents.

As an educator at MIT, Fischer mentored 49 PhD students who went on to lead central banks and shape economic policy worldwide, including Ben Bernanke, Mario Draghi, and Lawrence Summers. His influence extended far beyond the classroom, touching the lives of people globally through his students’ work and his own policy contributions.

Fischer’s legacy lives on through the countless economists he trained, the policies he helped shape, and the institutions he strengthened. His commitment to using economic knowledge for the betterment of society, particularly for the world’s poorest nations, reflects the very best of LSE’s mission and values. Many members of the Department have fond reflections of Professor Fischer.  

Sir Nick Stern, reflecting on Fischer’s legacy, noted: “Stan was a fine academic economist, outstanding teacher, and guide to so many very distinguished PhD students… He was one of the most important national and international public servants of modern times at the World Bank, IMF, Bank of Israel, and the Fed. He brought judgement, authority, dignity and values to public life… He never forgot his African origins (Zambia) and was much loved across the continent. He chose public life because he wanted to make a difference, particularly for the poorest countries. And he did. Stan was one of LSE’s most distinguished alumni; he was deeply fond and proud of our institution. Above all, he was the kindest and most constant of friends.”

Vassilis Hajivassiliou added: “Stan was the third advisor for my PhD at MIT… I’ll never forget his support and insights, even though my thesis was in theoretical and applied econometrics. A funny bit: when he signed my completed thesis, he gifted me the pen he was using!”

Noble laureate Chris Pissarides continued: “Stan had always warm feelings towards LSE. I met him and got to know him well in the 1970s, when I was first appointed at LSE and before he moved to public policy, and he was always taking an interest in LSE and how we were getting on. His interest extended beyond the institution and engaged us junior macro faculty in discussions about our work. Going to the NBER at that time and seeing Stan take such an interest in my work was great motivation to carry on. I am sure my LSE affiliation had a lot to do with it. He was a great guy!”

Richard Layer remarked: “Stan was a wonderful friend and colleague. He combined brilliant common-sense economics with a strong desire for the public good – and he was a great tease. Somehow, he always had time for you. In the middle of a financial crisis he once found time to provide an ideal cartoon for a book of mine and then, when the book was published, he flew down to Washington and back to help me launch it – before flying on that night to meet Putin. He was just immensely supportive – and clever, and funny.”

Charlie Bean concluded: “As a PhD student at MIT, Stan taught me just about everything I know about macro and monetary economics. And when I later became a central banker, he acted as both mentor and guide. He was a truly wonderful person, modest and humble and always generous with his time. I shall miss him greatly.”

Stanley Fischer is survived by his three sons, Michael, David, and Jonathan, and nine grandchildren.

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In memory of Sir John Ashworth (1938-2025)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sir John Ashworth, a distinguished British scientist, educationalist, and former Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, who passed away on 3 March 2025 at the age of 86. His death marks the end of a remarkable career in academia, science, and public service, which has had a lasting impact on the fields he worked in and the institutions he served. 

Born on 27 November 1938, Sir John Ashworth was raised in the United Kingdom, where his academic journey began at West Buckland School before continuing at Exeter College, Oxford. He went on to complete a PhD in biochemistry at Leicester University, where his early scientific research focused on developmental biology, cell differentiation, and particularly on slime moulds. Sir John was known for his fascination with Dictyostelium, the slime moulds found in diverse environments around the world.  

In 1976, Sir John took his career in science and university leadership to the UK government’s Cabinet Office, where he served as Chief Scientific Adviser until 1981. 

In 1981, Sir John was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, taking on a challenging role during a period of significant financial cutbacks to universities under Margaret Thatcher’s government. While many institutions faced cuts, Salford was hit particularly hard, with a 44% reduction in funding. Despite this adversity, Sir John demonstrated extraordinary leadership, steering the university through difficult times and continuing to promote its academic growth and resilience. 

In 1990, Ashworth became Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he was committed to maintaining LSE’s position as a world leading academic institution, dedicated to the social sciences. During his 6 years as LSE Director, he was focussed on securing the best teachers, libraries and facilities, and improving our IT services. Sir John was an extraordinarily supportive mentor and leader. His leadership was not just about academic achievement but also about fostering a collaborative spirit and a sense of community wherever he worked. He inspired countless students, researchers, and colleagues with his intellectual rigor, guidance, and sense of humour.  

Following his tenure at LSE, Sir John went on to have a distinguished later career steering public health and other public institutions. He served as Chair of Barts and London NHS Trust, Deputy Chair of the Institute of Cancer Research, and sat on the board of Colchester’s Hospital University Foundation Trust. His expertise and leadership were not confined to the health sector; he was also a Director of Granada TV and the Granada Group, and he served as Chair of the British Library Board for five years. Since 2002, Sir John had been the President of the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA), an organization providing vital support to refugee academics since the 1930s. 

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sir John was also a deeply involved member of his local community in Wivenhoe, where he was an active participant in the management committees of the Nottage Maritime Institute and the Wivenhoe Sailing Club. Though born and schooled in Devon, and having studied at Oxford and Leicester, Sir John became one of Wivenhoe’s most beloved and respected residents. His passion for sailing, a pastime he enjoyed throughout his life, seemed entirely fitting for a town known for producing famous sailors and America’s Cup crews. 

After retiring in 2007, Sir John remained active in various advisory roles and continued to be a respected figure in both scientific and academic circles. In 2008, he was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours, a highly deserved recognition of his lifelong commitment to public service, education, and scientific research.  

Sir John’s legacy as a champion of public service, higher education, and scientific advancement will remain a lasting influence on future generations. On hearing of his death, current LSE President Larry Kramer said:  

“Anyone leading LSE today is building on the work and efforts of those who led this outstanding institution before. I never had the opportunity to meet Sir John, but I would have thanked him for a remarkable legacy that remains truly hard to follow. LSE is, in no small part, what it is today because of his vision and passion for social science education and research.  

“On behalf of the whole LSE community, I want to express my deepest condolences to Sir John’s family at this difficult time.” 

Sir John Ashworth is survived by his family, colleagues, and the many students and professionals whose lives were enriched by his work. His intellectual legacy, tireless dedication to education, and commitment to the public good will never be forgotten. 

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In memory of Majid Fayaz (1979-2025)

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear colleague Majid Fayaz, at the age of 46. Majid was a valued member of our LSE Security Team, known for his dedication, kindness, and unwavering commitment to keeping our workplace safe.

Beyond his role at work, Majid was a devoted husband and a loving father to his two young children. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family during this incredibly difficult time. As colleagues, we mourn his loss, but we also remember the kindness, dedication, and quiet strength that defined his time with us.

In honour of Majid’s memory, we encourage staff to share their condolences here and support his family. May he rest in peace, knowing he made a lasting impact on those around him.

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In memory of Dr. Edward (Eddie) H. Hunt (1939-2025)

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that our colleague Dr. Edward (Eddie) H. Hunt passed away earlier this month.

Eddie’s long association with Economic History at LSE began in the 1960s when he arrived for his undergraduate studies. He remained at the School and completed his PhD with the topic Regional Wage Variations in Britain, 1850-1914. 

He briefly left in the late ‘60s to take up a position as Assistant Lecturer in Economic History at Queen’s University, Belfast, before returning to Houghton Street in 1969 where he stayed for rest of his career. 

Described as being “among the most promising of economic historians of my generation” by Patrick O’Brien, Eddie participated in the life of the Department and the field of Economic History more generally, with relish being Assistant Editor (1971-75), then Book Review Editor (1982-86) of The Economic History Review, the journal published by the Economic History Society. 

Along with his co-author Stephen Pam, Eddie published widely on agricultural history, most notably debunking the long-held theory that Essex farmers had needed rescuing by the incoming Scots. Their paper Essex Men Vindicated: output, incomes and investment in agriculture, 1850-73 (1993) has been downloaded from the LSE archive more than 1,200 times. 

Eddie’s research, especially his studies of wages in the long-nineteenth century, remains a vital ingredient of discussions in economic history and his monograph British Labour History, 1815-1914 was ground-breaking in the way it covered the changing face of the life and labour of the British working class in the century before the First World War. 

It is as the head of the MSc Programme, a position he inherited from Walter Stern in the mid-1970s, that Eddie will be remembered most fondly. Stern had nurtured the programme while it was still regarded as a vehicle for those who had read history (possibly economics) to obtain a broad understanding of the discipline but, under Eddie the number of Masters’ students grew, and different programmes were added to the portfolio of offerings. Most notably, the MSc Economic History (Research) designed to represent a shift to a four-year doctorate, with the MSc training year becoming a formal requirement for entry onto the MPhil/PhD programme. 

Eddie was unfailingly kind and generous, with a wicked sense of humour, and a great raconteur. He enjoyed travelling (particularly to vineyards) and once gave a particularly nice bottle of Zinfandel to one of the administrators as a gift following a trip to California. When, a couple of days later, he asked what she had enjoyed it with, he was horrified to be told “Eastenders”. The following Christmas she was gifted a bottle of port as ‘punishment’! 

Eddie passed away on Saturday 8 February and will be deeply missed by family, friends, and colleagues. The funeral will take place on Monday 10 March, and full details (including a link to the webcast for those who can’t be there in person) can be found here. 

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In memory of John Smith (1968-2025)

It is with profound sadness that we share the news that our colleague John Smith passed away in January whilst in hospital after a short illness.

John was the Chef in the Garrick and was known to many LSE staff and students. He was held in deep affection by all those who knew and worked with him. An incredibly supportive manager to his team, his passing has left us heartbroken.

Larry Kramer as LSE President has written privately to John’s family to express the sympathy of our whole School community. Our deepest condolences to John’s wife, Christel and daughter Skye.

John’s funeral is being held on Friday 21 February at 1pm at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane (upper), Chatham, Kent, ME5. 9QU.

John’s family and friends will be gathering after the ceremony at La Villetta, 8 Pudding Lane, Maidstone ME14 1lN.

If you want to attend the service with John’s colleagues from LSE Catering, please contact Alice To in the catering office.

With thanks to Ian Spencer, Director of Residential Services for the tribute.

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In memory of Professor Costas Simitis (1936-2025)

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Costas Simitis, former Prime Minister of Greece, and an LSE alumnus. Prof. Simitis’ relationship with the LSE stretches back many years – to 1961, when he was a student at the School. In 2023, in Athens, the School was pleased to bestow upon him the award of an honorary fellowship. The award of Honorary Fellow recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution and Costas Simitis amply fulfilled these criteria.

He served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1996 to 2004, a longer continuous period than any of his predecessors in the period after the 1974 restoration of democracy. During his premiership, Greece entered the ‘euro’ currency system and Cyprus acceded to the EU. Greece’s profile and reputation in Europe was heightened. International leaders showed him their warmth and respect. New infrastructure projects abounded – the landscape was transformed with a new Athens airport, the new Egnatia highway, and the new Athens Metro system, for example. It was fitting that, under his premiership, Greece looked forward to hosting the Olympic Games, once more. The Simitis project addressed crucial dimensions and had a clear narrative: the relationship of the citizen with the state; Greece’s place in Europe; bold and innovating initiatives in foreign policy; and, at home, unleashing new economic potential. The state was there to serve, to enable, and to provide more effectively. It is testament to the quality and depth of his political project that Costas Simitis wrote a number of books, as well as informed articles.

Some two years’ before he became PM, the LSE held a conference entitled, ‘Greece: Prospects for Modernization’. It was an important intellectual landmark: examining the project already associated with Costas Simitis and considering the ways forward. The instigators of that conference included Nikos Mouzelis, Spyros Economides and Elias Mossialos, long-term members of the School.

Shortly afterwards, a new endowment funded from Greece enabled the Eleftherios Venizelos Chair in Contemporary Greek Studies to be created. And the Hellenic Observatory was established as a research unit. Costas Simitis supported these initiatives. A structure was created, supported by an advisory board of leading public figures and chaired by the Governor of the Bank of Greece.

Over the years, Prof. Simitis spoke at the LSE on a number of occasions. He also supported the School’s activities in Athens and the Hellenic Alumni Association of the LSE (HAALSE). His daughter Marilena, now Professor Simiti, obtained her PhD from the LSE.

Costas Simitis, the politician, made an imprint and leaves a legacy. He set standards and defined a project. He sought out talent and gave new opportunities, creating a new political generation. In government, Costas Simitis unleashed Greece’s better-self. He did so with his own distinctive personal style: the antidote to flamboyance and excess – the PM who would stand in line for a ticket at the cinema. Instead of populism, he offered task-orientation and pragmatism.

We send our condolences to Prof. Simitis’ family and friends.

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In memory of Professor Ivana Marková (1938-2024)

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Professor Ivana Marková on 1 December 2024. Ivana was Professor Emerita of the University of Stirling, Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics (UK), Senior Member of Wolfson College Cambridge, Fellow of The British Psychological Society, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Fellow of the British Academy.

Born in Czechoslovakia in 1938, Ivana experienced first-hand the impact of WWII in Europe and the historical events that were to have a profound impact on her outlook and life. Assigned by the communist party to work as a technician in a chemical plant and not allowed to study full-time, she became an external student at Charles University in Prague, earning her doctorate in 1964. Following the Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, she was forced to relocate her young family to England. After postdoctoral positions at the University of Cambridge and the University of London, she was appointed lecturer and then professor at the University of Stirling. From there she went on to become a leading voice in linguistics and psychological science, producing influential work on the epistemology of psychology, social and cultural psychology, dialogicality and linguistics. A leader of social psychology in Europe and beyond, she developed long-standing associations with the Maison des Sciences de L’Homme and the London School of Economics.

Rooted in the Czech linguistic tradition, Ivana was uncompromisingly interdisciplinary in her writings, operating within far-reaching and wide intellectual vistas. She developed the dialogical approach to social psychology and argued for the primacy of social and ethical relationships, viewing relations as an open-ended dialogue, in which respect and responsibility are crucial. She was especially attuned to the tensions that could arise due to contradictory commitments (e.g., to family and an institution). With a deep scholarly foundation in Hegel, Herder, and Bakhtin, she made paradigmatic contributions to the study of language, human awareness, social representations, persuasion and trust.

In her empirical work, Ivana addressed social issues as they emerged: the social representations of AIDS in the 1980s, changing representations of democracy in post-Soviet countries in the 1990s, trust in contemporary institutions in the 2000s, and more recently, the challenges posed by bureaucratisation in public services and universities. In all these contributions, she combined the highest level of scholarship with humility and a sensitivity to the complexities of human life.

Ivana held visiting professorships in many universities, gave keynote addresses in numerous countries, and was an inspirational mentor to generations of social psychologists. Her absence will be sorely felt in academic communities across the globe.

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In memory of Professor Henry Wynn (1945-2024)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our colleague, Professor Henry Wynn, who passed away on Saturday, 2 November 2024.

Henry was a full-time member of the Department of Statistics at the LSE from 2003 to 2011 and remained a very active colleague ever since. He served as Head of Department between 2003 and 2006, and also led the Decision Support and Risk Group (DSRG). For many years, Henry was the co-chair of the Research Centre CATS (Centre for the Analysis of Time Series). From 2000 to 2005, he was also part-time Scientific Co-Director of EURANDOM, the international stochastics institute at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. During the last several years, Henry was the Principal Investigator in the EU-funded projects CELSIUS (Combined Efficient Large Scale Integrated Urban Systems) and ReUseHeat (Recovery of Urban Excess Heat) at the LSE.

Henry was elected President of the Royal Statistical Society in 1977. His academic career included roles as Lecturer and Reader at Imperial College and, in 1985, Professor of Mathematical Statistics at City University London, where he became Dean of Mathematics from 1987 to 1995. At City University, he co-founded the Engineering Design Centre and introduced new degrees, including the MSc in Quality Improvement and System Reliability and the MSc in Research Methods and Statistics. In 1995, he moved to the University of Warwick as Founding Director of the Risk Initiative and Statistical Consultancy Unit (RISCU), developing it into a leading centre supported by numerous research grants. He was the founding president of the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics (ENBIS), which now boasts over a thousand members and a successful annual conference.

In 1982 Henry was awarded the Guy Medal in Silver from the Royal Statistical Society and in 2011 the Box Medal from ENBIS. He was an Honorary Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and held an Emeritus Fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust. Additionally, he was awarded the Exzellenzstipendium des Landes Oberösterreich by the governor of Upper Austria.

Henry was a prolific researcher in statistics, having written over 300 peer-reviewed publications on numerous topics, including experimental design, system reliability, computer experiments, dynamical search, algebraic statistics, and risk. In 2021, he published a societal critique with the book Against Sacrifice: An essay on risk and ethics.

Henry leaves two sons Hamish and Robin by his first wife Sandra and was happily married for over thirty years to his second wife, the distinguished photographer Jan Baldwin

The Department of Statistics will deeply miss his presence and contributions.

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In memory of Shri Ratan Tata ji (1937-2024)

It is with great sadness that we learnt of the announcement of the passing of Shri Ratan Tata ji, a dear friend and Honorary Fellow of LSE, who passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on 9 October. He was the most steadfast of friends; attentive, caring, a man of deep compassion and humility.

Ratan Tata was a leading philanthropist in India, deeply committed to education, medicine and rural development. A visionary leader, he served as the chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and held the position of interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017. Tata once said: “Leadership is not about being in charge, it is about taking care of those in your charge.” And a real leader he was: this quality, along with courage and solidarity with his employees, was exemplified in the terrorist attacks on the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai in November 2008, when he went straight to the hotel and stayed there for the ensuing days of the terrorist occupation.

His investments in these areas have touched millions of lives, reinforcing the Tata Group’s tradition of corporate social responsibility. As Peter Casey, author of The Story of Tata, noted, the ethos of the company “yokes capitalism to philanthropy, by doing business in ways that make the lives of others better”. This guiding principle has inspired the Tata Trusts and the family for over a century, underscoring their dedication to social causes and community upliftment. Tata embodied this ethos, as we can see by the enduring impact of his philanthropy at LSE and elsewhere.

In 2007, Tata became an Honorary Fellow of LSE for his outstanding contribution to the School and its community. Tata was an avid advocate for LSE in India and globally, serving dutifully for many years on the LSE-India Advisory Board. We are immensely grateful for his support and exemplary guidance. Over several decades, Tata enthusiastically maintained and deepened a partnership between LSE and the Tata Trust which first began over a century ago when LSE founders Beatrice and Sidney Webb visited India in 1912 and met Tata’s grandfather, Sir Ratan Tata.

Tata’s commitment to education was exemplified by the establishment of the Sir Ratan Tata Post-doctoral Fellowship in 1997, based in the LSE India Observatory. This Fellowship has supported more than 20 early career post-doctoral researchers to engage in six months of impactful social science research on economic and social development in India and South Asia.

In recognition of his contributions, Ratan Tata received the ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 2000 and the ‘Padma Vibhushan’ in 2008, the third and second highest civilian honours awarded by the Government of India, respectively. He also received various state civilian honours, including the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ in 2006 for his work in public administration in Maharashtra, and ‘Assam Baibhav’ in 2021 for his contributions to cancer care in Assam.

Ratan Tata was one of the truly great citizens of the world. His loss is profound, not only for India but for all who knew him or were touched by his work. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders and philanthropists, and LSE will be honoured to continue to celebrate the impact of his partnership and support.

With thanks to Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, Co-Chair of the India Observatory, for sharing this tribute.