Broadcast: News items

Professor Bacon helming his boat Peverall off the west coast of Scotland

Professor Jonathan Bacon died on Friday 5 November, following a long illness.

He served as Professor of Neuroscience in the University’s School of Life Sciences, while also holding the post of Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona.

He assumed the position of Dean of Life Sciences in 2002, leading the School until 2009. In 2017, he became the Head of the School of Engineering and Informatics until his retirement in August 2020.

Vice-Chancellor, David Maguire said: “While I’m sad to say I never met Professor Bacon, I know he was a highly esteemed and well-respected member of the Sussex faculty. His work benefitted our society as much as it did the University, and his efforts to engage the wider community acted as an example for all academics. It’s through the work of inspirational leaders such as Jonathan that Sussex is the University it is today – challenging conventional thinking and dedicated to making a better world.”

Professor Ian Wakeman, Head of School of Engineering and Informatics, said: “Jonathan brought a sense of compassion and fun to the School of Engineering and Informatics. He used to cast himself as a peripatetic Head of School, walking the School's estate and would be genuinely curious about both the work and the wellbeing of every member of staff, in the office, the workshops and the labs.

“The obvious joy he took in the technologies produced within the School, from being able to drive the racing car the students built, through tasting levitating bacon rolls was infectious, and enthused everyone in the School. We have all lost a great colleague and friend, and we will miss him greatly.”

Professor Sarah Guthrie, Head of School Life Sciences, said: “Jonathan was a person of great enthusiasm and exuberance, who enlivened a room. He was loyal to the University, its students and staff, and was passionate about all aspects of academic life, especially teaching and inspiring students.

“Well-respected and liked by his fellow Heads of Schools, Jonathan led the School of Life Sciences through some difficult times. I could always count on him for a chat, wise counsel and his ability to diffuse tension with wry humour. He had intended to continue his research work after retirement, and will be much missed.”

During his time at Sussex Professor Bacon was awarded the 1987 President’s Medal of the Society for Experimental Biology; and received a student-led award for Outstanding and Innovative Undergraduate Teaching for the academic year 2016/17.

The University will shortly publish an obituary for Professor Bacon.