Joan Astill (1938-2004)
Joan Astill became unwell during the summer and died on 8 November, barely a month into the retirement for which she had made so many plans, including completion of the part-time MA in Creative Writing she began last year.
Joan came to Sussex in 1985 to read Sociology, and after graduating in 1988 held a number of University posts, most recently as Operations and Resources Officer in the new School of Humanities.
For much of her time at Sussex, however, she was an exemplary and highly regarded PA to a succession of deans in the former School of English and American Studies. They depended on her impeccable organisational skills (at least I did) and also reaped the benefit of her knowledge of the University and its ways, her foresight and ability to anticipate problems, and her shrewd and tactful advice.
Her work brought her into contact with many sectors of University life and she was admired and trusted for her many excellent qualities: she was definite but sympathetic, clear-minded but tolerant (though never to a fault). Her good humour never left her and she treated everyone with kindness, even when her workload was at its heaviest. She was always ready, as well, with support and encouragement for younger colleagues, and generous with recognition of their professional achievements.
Professor Andrew Crozier, Dean of English and American Studies 1996-2003
Drew Gartland-Jones (1964-2004)
Drew Gartland-Jones, Lecturer in Computer Music in the Informatics department, died peacefully on Friday 5 November following a sudden stroke two days earlier.
He almost single-handedly set up the pioneering new Music Informatics degree, a joint venture between the departments of Music and Informatics, and was a leading light in the computational modelling of creativity, especially with reference to musical composition.
A man of enormous energy and vision, his association with Sussex was all too brief. Just three years ago, after a long period of combining a career as a composer and installation artist with senior positions in the software industry, he arrived to do a DPhil on the application of adaptive computing techniques to algorithmic composition and generative music.
He rapidly decided Sussex was his home and played a leading role in persuading the University that a new interdisciplinary degree crossing the arts science boundary was not just a good idea but a necessity. Naturally he applied for the job to set up the programme.
The pro-vice-chancellor on the appointments panel summed up the feelings of the other members by declaring Drew the most impressive applicant for a lectureship he had ever come across. He became a member of faculty in September 2003.
Using his considerable contacts in the creative arts, Drew was enormously influential in catalysing a range of Sussex-based collaborations between scientists and artists. He recently set up the Creative Systems Lab in Informatics to develop projects that lie at the intersections of the arts, science and technology. He was also co-founder of blip, a highly successful Brighton-based monthly forum that showcases work at the art/science boundary.
We have lost a wonderful colleague and friend, a man full of ideas and infectious enthusiasm, a man who had so much more to give. But he has left us a great legacy that we must allow to flourish.
Professor Phil Husbands, Informatics
Jo Grigg of the Partnership Office adds:
Drew also worked as academic link tutor with one of the University's partner colleges, the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM). His generous and energetic support of this young college helped both BIMM and the Partnership Office enormously, and his positive contribution will be greatly missed.