It is with deep sadness that LSTM notes the passing of Debbie Quinney, a former lecturer at LSTM and remembered with great affection by all who worked with her.
Debbie joined LSTM in 2010 as a Lecturer in Research Methods after nine years as a Research Fellow in the Division of Public Health at the University of Liverpool. Before that she worked with UK NGOs, and partner agencies, in African and Central American countries in famine relief, refugee and displaced people emergency programmes.
Debbie came to the Education Department at a time of considerable change. It had just completely re-organised its Masters programmes, complete with the teething problems that any change brings. Debbie demonstrated immediately her capacity to just get on with the job in hand, winning support for change from staff and students through her calm professionalism and ability to listen to different points of view. Getting the best experience for the students was at the heart of everything that Debbie did and they loved and respected her. She drew on her experiences in research and humanitarian aid to re-design teaching of research methods to be inclusive and relevant to the very diverse students who come to LSTM from all over the world. The innovations that she put in place remain in operation today and serve as her legacy to LSTM.
‘When last year Debbie came reluctantly to the decision to retire, she said that her time in LSTM had been a highlight of her career because she had learnt so much. People who had the privilege of working with Debbie will know that this was a two-way process and many of us benefitted from her wisdom during a stay in LSTM that was sadly much shorter than it should have been’, said Dr Sue Assinder, LSTM’s Director of Education.
Debbie will be missed by her many friends in LSTM but always remembered for her enthusiasm, kindness and generosity of spirit.
Our sincere condolences go to Debbie’s husband Jeremy, and her children, Amy and Edward. Debbie's family would like any donations in her memory to be made to the Marie Curie Centre in Walton, Liverpool (www.justgiving.com/DebbieQuinney).