Sir Graeme John Davies FRSNZ[1] (7 April 1937 – 30 August 2022) was a New Zealand engineer, academic and administrator. During his career, he was Vice-Chancellor of three universities: the University of Liverpool, the University of Glasgow and the University of London.[2]
Sir Graeme Davies | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 7 April 1937 |
| Died | 30 August 2022 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland St Catharine's College, Cambridge |
| Known for | his pioneering work merging the polytechnic and university sectors in the United Kingdom and establishing the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and for his leadership of the leading universities of Liverpool, Glasgow and London. |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Materials engineering, Metallurgy |
| Institutions | University of Cambridge, University of Sheffield, University of Liverpool, University of Glasgow, University of London |
Early life
editHe was the son of Harry John Davies and Gladys Edna Davies (née Pratt). He was born in New Zealand and attended Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland. He later attended the University of Auckland when he obtained a BE in Aeronautical Engineering and PhD in Materials Science.[2] His doctoral thesis was entitled The work-hardening behaviour of polycrystalline copper during interrupted tensile testing.[3]
Career
editIn 1962 Davies moved to the University of Cambridge, and subsequently became a Fellow and Dean of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, obtaining an MA and ScD.
Davies taught metallurgy at the University of Auckland (1964–1966), the University of Cambridge (1966–1977) and the University of Sheffield (1978–1986) where he was Professor of Metallurgy.
Davies served as Chief Executive of the Universities Funding Council (UFC), and also of the Polytechnic and Colleges Funding Council (PCFC), and then of their successor, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). He was also a Fellow[1] of the Royal Academy of Engineering[1] and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Royal Veterinary College, the UCL School of Pharmacy, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, St George's, University of London, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply. He was awarded Honorary Doctorates by thirteen universities.
Davies became an Honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge in 1989.[2] Davies also served as the Chairman of Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), Ltd. He also held roles including Emeritus Vice Chancellor of the University of London; Chairman of the British University Vietnam, the Foundation for Liver Research, Governor of the University of Lincoln, of Taylor's University, of the British Institute of Technology and E-commerce, and Trustee of Regent's University London.
Davies was Member of the Council of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, and was Master from 2005 to 2006. He was also the Chairman of the NZ-UK Link Foundation and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, and a Governor of the University of Hertfordshire, of the University of Seychelles, and of Shrewsbury School. For five years he served as a Member of the Public Interest Body of Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Davies was knighted in 1996 New Year Honours for services to the Higher Education Funding Council for England.[2] He died at his home on 30 August 2022, at the age of 85.[4][5]
Publications
edit- Solidification and Casting (1973)
- Texture and the Properties of Materials (co-ed, 1976)
- Solidificacao e Fundicao das Metals e Suas Ligas (jtly, 1978)
- Hot Working and Forming Processes (co-ed, 1980)
- Superplasticity (jtly, 1981)
- Essential Metallurgy for Engineers (jtly, 1985)
- Herding Cats (jtly, 2010)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "List of Fellows". Archived from the original on 8 June 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d "DAVIES, Sir Graeme (John)", Who's Who 2013, A & C Black, Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2013; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012; online edn, Nov 2012, retrieved 20 June 2013
- ^ Davies, Graeme (1961). The work-hardening behaviour of polycrystalline copper during interrupted tensile testing (Doctoral thesis). ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland. hdl:2292/2523.
- ^ "Tribute: Former Vice-Chancellor Sir Graeme Davies - University of Liverpool News". September 2022.
- ^ "Professor Sir Graeme Davies (1937–2022) | St Catharine's College, Cambridge".