Imperial mourns the passing of Professor James Stirling

by Deborah Evanson

12 November 2018

Professor James Stirling FRS, Imperial College London’s first Provost, passed away on Friday 9 November surrounded by his family.

Professor Alice Gast, President of Imperial College London said: “Our thoughts are with his family and his close friends. We celebrate all that he did in his life and we cherish our own memories of his wisdom, grace, and warmth.”

Professor Stirling presenting hockey awards at Varsity 2016

Professor Stirling was a distinguished physicist, whose work has resulted in more than 300 research papers, including some of the most highly cited of all time in the physical sciences.

During his five year tenure at Imperial, Professor Stirling was responsible for leading Imperial’s core academic mission of education, research and innovation.

He became known among Imperial’s community for championing the development and wellbeing of staff throughout the community, with a particular focus on marginalised and underrepresented groups.

"James defined the role of Provost"

Professor James Stirling receiving his honorary degree in the Royal Albert Hall in October 2018

Last month, Professor Stirling received Imperial’s highest honour - an honorary doctorate of science – during the College’s Commemoration Day celebrations in recognition of his outstanding contributions to physics and to the College.

Speaking at the time, Professor Alice Gast said: "James defined the role of Provost, not only for Imperial, but for the world. It was a privilege to learn from his graceful and insightful approach to leadership. I also immensely enjoyed working with him on opportunities like the Invention Rooms and challenges like the pension dispute. We will always remember his exceptional work furthering academic excellence, gender equality, mental health and animal care. His perpetual wonder and enthusiasm for all aspects of discovery and learning is infectious. James inspires all who work with him with his wisdom, character and warmth."

During the Commemoration Day celebrations Imperial’s current Provost Professor Ian Walmsley added: “Professor James Stirling is a leader who inspires the very best and has defined the role of Provost for Imperial with integrity and vision. The high esteem in which he is held by everyone in the Imperial community cannot be underestimated. It is a privilege to honour him here today.”

James Stirling joined Imperial following a distinguished academic career, where his work in theoretical particle physics resulted in more than 300 research papers, including some of the most highly cited of all time in the physical sciences.

Professor Stirling’s work in quantum chromodynamics has been central to discoveries in physics and many of his calculational techniques have now been adopted as standard practice. His groundbreaking work in particle physics phenomenology led to his involvement in the MSTW collaboration studying the ‘parton’ structure of the proton with the Large Hadron Collider.

After a double-first and a distinction in Part III of the mathematical Tripos at Peterhouse, he took a PhD in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge.

Professor Stirling’s research career included stints in the United States, at CERN, and, holding a series of academic and leadership roles, at the Universities of Cambridge – including as Jacksonian Chair of Natural Philosophy – and Durham, as the first Director of the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP).

He led the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, home to some 29 Nobel laureates since its founding in 1874, before joining Imperial as the College’s first ever Provost in 2013, retiring in 2018.