The Society is very sad to report the death Professor Claire Callender OBE on 15 April 2025. 

Claire held joint professorships at UCL Institute of Education and Birkbeck, University of London and her outstanding academic career was well described in Simon Marginson’s splendid obituary for HEPI on 18 April 2025. Claire’s research gave her an unrivalled understanding of the consequences for students of higher education funding methods, and she had a rare ability to communicate clearly with both the academic community and with policymakers, reflecting her experience of working in government as well as in academe. Her work showed her consistent concern for the fortunes of part-time students.

As Simon Marginson wrote: “Her heart might have been with Birkbeck, and there her policy focus on part-time, adult and evening students had its natural home.” As Deputy Director in the ESRC Centre for Global Higher Education she played a major part in promoting research into higher education worldwide, being recognised and respected not only for her exceptional research expertise but also for her kind consideration and warm support for colleagues in many countries.

Claire was an active member of SRHE as a member of the Research and Development Committee, serving on the Editorial Board of Studies in Higher Education, giving wise advice to Council on policy issues, and elected as an SRHE Fellow in 2011.

In the words of Simon’s obituary: “She touched the lives of many as a scholar, colleague and mentor; played a central role in policy and public discussion for three decades; and had much respect and friendship in the sector.”

Our thanks to Professor Rob Cuthbert, SRHE News Editor for the above tribute. 

Former SRHE Trustee Professor Emily F. Henderson has also written a personal reflection on the Conference Inference blogspace entitled Fleeting encounters with a formidable scholar – remembering Claire Callender