Honorary Fellowship recognises over 58 years at the heart of university life

Professor Joan Busfield has received an Honorary Fellowship to mark her incredible contribution to the University of Essex over close to six decades.

She joined the University in 1965, just a year after its opening, and is only retiring this summer after a distinguished research career as a sociologist within one of the University’s founding departments.

Professor Busfield said: “It is a great honour to receive this award from the University. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work at the University of Essex for so many years, to experience so many exciting events, to see so many changes, and in particular to get to know so many supportive colleagues and friends across the University. Thank you very much indeed.”

Initially training as a clinical psychologist at the Tavistock Clinic, Joan joined the fledgling Department of Sociology as a research assistant in 1965 and was appointed as an assistant lecturer in 1968. She completed a Masters and PhD at Essex and built a reputation for outstanding scholarship, publishing important works in psychiatry and mental illness, including on gender and class, before more recently moving onto influential research on medicine, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry.

From 2003 to 2005 she was President of the British Sociological Association, and she was also a co-editor of the influential journal Sociology.

Head of the Department of Sociology and Criminology Professor Linsey McGoey said: “‘Joan has been a trailblazing leader in our Department for 58 years. She is known for being bold in speaking truth to power, as well as caring and supportive towards the many junior colleagues mentored over the years.

“The Department won’t be the same, but we’re grateful to have Joan with us as both an Emeritus and an Honorary Fellow of the University – a wonderful honour of which we are proud.”

Within the University, she was her department’s first female professor in 1992, and then became the University’s first female Pro-Vice-Chancellor. She was also Head of Department, led the Graduate School for six years, and served regularly on Senate – the University’s supreme academic authority - and Council – the University’s Governing body.

She has also singly or jointly supervised over 35 PhD students to completion, many of whom have gone on to make their own significant contribution to the field of sociology.

Registrar Bryn Morris said: “Joan symbolises everything that is great about the Department, the University and what it means to graduate from Essex.

“Joan’s connection to this University goes back almost to our very foundation. Essex has been her intellectual home for over half a century, and she has served this University with distinction – becoming the University’s longest-serving member of staff and continuing to contribute to our teaching and research right up to her retirement later this year.

“Joan has shown incredible dedication to the University and made an outstanding contribution at the heart of our university life for virtually its entire history.

“In the University’s 60th Anniversary year, it is right that we celebrate Joan's singular contribution. She has done so much for so long to build and sustain what makes our university so special – our community.”