My father, Paul White, who has died aged 74, spent his working life at the University of Sheffield, starting in 1974 as a lecturer in the geography department and ending as deputy vice-chancellor. His career may have been based at Sheffield, but it encompassed a truly international outlook. With interests including migration, demographic change and social exclusion, he carried out research covering a huge range of topics, including tourism in rural Switzerland, Japanese communities in London, social segregation in European cities and perceptions of rurality in China. Teaching and improving the student experience were his real passions. As professor of European geography from 1997 until his retirement in 2016, he passed on his enthusiasm for other cultures to his students, including through field classes to Paris and Berlin. He was a highly valued PhD supervisor, overseeing more than 36, and was passionate about teaching students to find out and think for themselves. In 2004 he became pro vice-chancellor for learning and teaching, and embarked on a mission to improve teaching quality. He was a leader in higher education policy, too, both nationally and internationally. He chaired the Russell Group’s learning and teaching network, and the learning and teaching group of the Worldwide Universities Network, an alliance of 17 universities across four continents. For nine years he was a member of the all-party parliamentary group on higher education and, in retirement, supported a number of universities with their quality inspections. In all of these activities, his focus was on ways to drive up teaching quality. He was appointed OBE for services to higher education in 2016 and was awarded an honorary degree from Sheffield University in 2022. He also took great pleasure in his roles as vice-chair of the trustee board of Sheffield Student Union, and in leading citizenship ceremonies as a deputy lieutenant for South Yorkshire. Born in Luton, the son of Cyril White, who worked in printing, and Ethel (nee Ellis), Paul moved with his family at the age of five to Twickenham, south-west London. His success in the 11-plus led to a direct grant place at Latymer Upper school in Hammersmith. A degree and PhD in geography at Hertford College, Oxford, followed. It was during this period that he met Liz Taylor, a teacher of Italian, whom he married in 1973. Music played a very important role in my father’s life. He played the piano to a high standard and loved opera, particularly visits to Glyndebourne. He took particular joy from playing music with others, especially family members. He loved exploring foreign cities, continuing to travel widely after retirement, and enjoyed walking – including one expedition on foot in 2017 from Sheffield to visit the homes of me and my sister, Helen, in London, a distance of 215 miles, which he completed in 17 days. He is survived by Liz, Helen and me, and two grandchildren, Toby and Alice.
Author: Katherine Merrifield