It is with great sadness that we write to let you know that PAIS alumnus Dr Dee Dutta passed away peacefully on Tuesday 21 November after a long illness. His wife, Su, was by his side.

Dee completed an MA in PAIS in 2014 before joining the PhD programme to research President Clinton, the CIA and Counter-Terrorism with Trevor McCrisken and Chris Moran as supervisors. He successfully defended his ESRC-funded thesis in 2019. During his time in PAIS, Dee was a much-loved member of the post-graduate community and was greatly valued by his students, who he taught on modules including ‘Politics of the USA’ and ‘US Foreign Policy’.

Chris and Trevor recall that PhD supervisions were always eventful and memorable, since Dee would regale us with wonderful stories from his hugely successful corporate career, which included very senior roles with Sony and Visa. As Head of Global Marketing for Sony, he was instrumental in growing the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) into new territories and markets, as well as blazing a trail for equal pay for female players. In the 2000s, he worked closely with EON Productions, the makers of the James Bond films, and was personally responsible for “arming” 007 with everything from high-tech laptops to exploding mobile phones. His rolodex of friends included everyone from David Dein, vice-chairman of Arsenal Football Club, to champion tennis player Maria Sharapova and legendary watchmaker Frank Muller. He also spoke fondly of his undergraduate student days in Liverpool many years earlier, listening to The Specials and taking part in student demonstrations.

After finishing his PhD, Dee ran for election as a Labour Party councillor in North Northamptonshire before retiring to Scotland, where he could indulge in his passion for top-shelf whisky. A scholar, student and colleague who was always larger than life, he will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the Warwick community at large. Plans for an event in his name will be announced by Trevor and Chris at a later date.