The University is deeply saddened by the news of the death of Helen Anderson, a PhD student in the Sociology Department, who sadly passed away on Thursday 21 January. Our thoughts are with her husband and children.

Professor Peter Ratcliffe, who supervised Helen's doctoral thesis, commented:

We have lost someone for whom the terms 'feisty' and ‘larger than life’ could not be more apt. Helen was a true life force: a person with tremendous warmth of personality and passion for her work. She was totally committed to the completion of her doctoral work deploying critical race theory to explore Canadian immigration policy and, in particular, the divergence between the rhetoric and reality of the Skilled Workers programme. It is a tragedy that she was taken from us at a time when she was so close to fulfilling her dream of making a real contribution to both sociological and policy debates in this area.

There will be a book of condolence available for you to sign in the Sociology Department, and then in The Chaplaincy.

Details of the funeral for anybody wishing to attend will be posted here shortly.

If you knew Helen 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.