Secretariat

Obituary: John Gunnell

Members will be sorry to learn of the death of John Gunnell on 28 January 2008. A former lecturer in Science Education (with a particular focus upon Chemistry) for eighteen years in the Universitys Department of Education, he was also a prominent political figure both locally and nationally amongst his many political accomplishments being his leadership of the West Yorkshire County Council and his time as Member of Parliament for Morley and Rothwell.

John Gunnell graduated from the University in General Honours (Chemistry) 1st class in 1955. After obtaining a PGCE at Leeds in 1958, he embarked upon a career in science teaching and education research. He was to return to Leeds in 1970, moving from a Head of Department role at the prestigious United Nations International School, New York, in order to take up an appointment as Lecturer in the Department of Education. Possessed of an unwavering commitment to his belief in the fundamental importance of good education in creating a fair and enlightened society, John Gunnell was a dedicated and inspiring teacher whose wider interests in politics and social justice enabled him to open up new contacts and ideas to both staff and students within his School. He retired from the University in 1988 in order to devote more time to his political commitments and was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1992.

A full obituary will be published on Campusweb in due course.

Published: 31 January 2008