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British sociologist (1947–2022) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir Robert George Burgess DL, FAcSS (23 April 1947 – 21 February 2022) was a British sociologist and academic. He was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester in 1999, succeeding Ken Edwards. He was President of the British Sociological Association 1989–1991[2] and chair of the board of GSM London.[3]
Sir Robert Burgess | |
|---|---|
Burgess at Thomas Erlebach's inaugural lecture on 2 December 2008 | |
| Born | Robert George Burgess 23 April 1947 |
| Died | 21 February 2022 (aged 74) |
| Alma mater | University of Warwick (PhD, 1981) University of Durham, (BA, 1971) |
| Spouse |
Hilary Joyce (m. 1974) |
Burgess was born in Sturminster in Dorset on 23 April 1947. He grew up Somerset, and attended the King Arthur's School in Wincanton, from 1958.[4] He taught for a year at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, a church school, in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.[5]
Burgess received his BA degree from the University of Durham in 1971 and his PhD degree from the University of Warwick in 1981.
Burgess remained at Warwick as a lecturer and became Professor of Sociology in 1987. He then rose through the ranks, serving as Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor 1995–99.[1] Burgess then moved to the University of Leicester as Vice-Chancellor, introducing sweeping changes that enhanced the university's reputation and saw it enter the top-20 institutions in many league tables.[6]
Burgess was chair of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) 2005–11, the Research Information Network 2005–11,[7] and is the chair of the UUK/Guild HE Teacher Education Advisory Group.[8] In 2007, Burgess chaired the steering group that produced the Burgess Report, calling for sweeping changes in university degree classification that would replace the established system of first- and second class degrees.[9][10][11]
Burgess retired from the post of Vice-Chancellor in September 2014, at age 67.[12] He was succeeded by Professor Paul Boyle.[2]
Burgess was knighted in the 2010 New Year Honours.[13] He became an Academician of the Social Sciences in 2000. He received an Honorary DLitt degree from the University of Staffordshire in 1998 and a DUniv degree from the University of Northampton in 2007.[1]
Burgess married Hilary Margaret Mary Joyce in 1974 and lists his recreations as walking, music and "some gardening".[1] Sir Bob and Lady Burgess lived at Knighton Hall, the University of Leicester's traditional vice-chancellor's residence in Knighton, Leicester. Burgess's record in building both the university's academic reputation and its campus buildings earned him the nickname Bob the Builder among his university colleagues.[14]
Burgess died on 21 February 2022, at the age of 74.[15]
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