Roger Stough: a sad loss to the Academy

It is with deep sorrow that The Regional Science Academy announces the death of Roger Stough.  Roger served as one of two Vice Presidents of the Academy from the time it was founded four years ago.  A key figure in developing the Academy project, Roger brought with him a wealth of leadership experience and a passionate belief in its purpose. He was always willing to give his time to organizing the activities of the Academy, and  was a valuable source of wise advice to many of us.

Roger was a leading regional scientist who was highly-respected not only as an academic researcher but also as an effective practitioner, contributing to influential studies carried in a wide range of different contexts throughout the world. He did much to spread the word about regional science among other social scientists and, as President, was at the forefront of bringing them into the RSAI fold.  He was the main driving force in creating new sections, organizing new journals and  in developing the World Congress as an effective medium for academic exchange.

All of us who worked with him will remember Roger as an inspiring character, energetic and fully-committed, always calm and diplomatic and, above all, keen to see that whatever we did as  academics had as its underlying purpose making a tangible improvement to people’s lives.  Roger was a wonderful colleague who was a pleasure to work with.  His passing is a tragic loss to the Academy and we shall all miss him greatly. Our thoughts at this time are with Roger’s wife, Barbara, and his family.

Peter Batey

President of The Regional Science Academy