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News Type: Obituary

Obituary – Professor David Judge (1950-2026)

Professor David Judge, Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and a leading scholar of parliamentary politics and democratic representation, has died after a short illness. David was internationally recognised for his scholarship on parliaments, representation and democratic legitimacy. His work helped re-centre parliamentary studies in political science, shaping debates in the UK and beyond. Among his most influential contributions were The Parliamentary State (Sage, 1993), which addressed fundamental questions about British politics and institutional authority, and The European Parliament (with David Earnshaw, 2003; 2nd edition 2008), a major text examining the political dynamics of the European Parliament […]

Obituary for Professor Agnès Alexandre-Collier

Dr Anthony Ridge-Newman, Associate Dean, Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities, Liverpool Hope University 7 October 2025 With great sadness, I am heavy-hearted to write that our fine academic colleague and my dear friend Professor Agnès Alexandre-Collier died on Sunday 24 August 2025, following an illness. Agnès was an active member of the PSA, with a special interest in British Politics and Conservatism. During the five years I led the Conservatism Studies Specialist Group, and beyond, Agnès was a dynamic member, dedicated contributor, outstanding colleague and an inspiration. Agnès actively supported our agenda to make the group a more inclusive […]

Obituary for Ian Fraser

  By Tony Burns, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham I am saddened to have to report that my best friend Ian Fraser has died at the relatively young age of 62. Ian was an active member of the PSA and was involved in both its Marxism Specialist Group and the Art and Politics Specialist Group. He organized panels on the theme of aesthetics and politics at PSA annual conferences and at the Political Theory Workshops at Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester between 2007 and 2015. Ian was a scouser from Walton in Liverpool. After not doing […]

Professor Christopher Hood (1947-2025)

  We were sad to hear of the passing of distinguished scholar Professor Christopher Hood CBE FBA on 3 January 2025. Professor Hood’s expertise in public administration meant he was the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including winning the PSA’s WJM Mackenzie book prize twice and receiving the John Gaus lifetime achievement Award from the American Political Science Association in 2021. We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends. https://www.asc.ox.ac.uk/news/professor-christopher-hood-1947-2025

Obituary for Jonathan Dean

  It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing on 24 May 2024 of our dear friend and colleague Jonathan Dean, Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Leeds, founder of the Centre for Democratic Engagement, and a cherished member of the Populism Specialist Group community.  Jonathan was not just a scholar known for his critical ethos, but also an approachable person known for his generosity, kindness and enthusiasm. He was particularly warm and supportive towards his students, supervisees and junior scholars in general. Jonathan was outspoken about social, economic and political injustices. He stood with […]

Jean Blondel: an Appreciation

  My friend and former colleague, Jean Blondel, died on Christmas Day 2022, aged 93.  I had known him for just over 50 years, from the time I went to Essex in 1972 to take an MA in comparative politics under his guidance.  He subsequently supervised my PhD thesis alongside two of his protegees, Val Herman and Jim Alt.  As well as being an extraordinarily kind and generous man, Blondel fizzed with ideas and innovations.  His ability to galvanise others to support his many intellectual projects was prodigious. Blondel made his scholarly reputation in the English-speaking world with two books. […]

Lord Trevor Smith

  It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of Lord Trevor Smiths passing.