The University is deeply saddened by the news of the death of Filip Brkovic, a recently completed PAIS PhD Student, who sadly passed away on Wednesday 27 January. Our thoughts are with his wife and their young son.

Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams and Jackie Smith of PAIS commented:

Filip passed his PhD viva in the week before Christmas, receiving high praise from his examiners for the high quality of his underlying argument and for the passion and eloquence with which he defended his thesis. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He was, above all, a genuinely good guy, a loyal friend on whom so many members of our PhD community relied to help them through their bad days. He was always the first person on hand with a pep talk to allow others to focus on the positive side of even the worst news. All of his friends within the Department will now need to channel this approach that came so naturally to Filip if they are to help each other to come to terms with his death.

In commemoration, Filip's colleagues intend to name an annual PhD Prize in honour of his memory.

If you knew Filip and are affected by this news please be aware of the range of University support available. The Student Support Services website gives more details about University Support Services, or you can contact them on 024 76 575570, ext 75570.