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Professor Jim Mansell, a leading figure in the field of Learning Disability studies, sadly died after a long illness on March 14th 2012. He was an inspiration to many people who are concerned about the lives of people with learning disabilities, including researchers, policy makers, families and people with learning disabilities themselves. Norah Fry Research Centre has been proud to be connected with the Tizard Centre at Kent, which was founded by Jim Mansell, and there have been many partnerships and joint work between the two centres, including membership on the editorial board of the Tizard Learning Disability Review. Jim was an authority on the topic of ‘challenging behaviour’, and was always committed to the human rights of people with the most complex needs. His approach was that research should make a difference in practice, a goal shared by staff at Norah Fry. Most recently, the general public will have seen his contribution on the Panorama programme about the abuse in a home near Bristol, Winterbourne View; he was subsequently involved in the Department of Health advisory group, to plan a response to that scandal, and to ensure that it can never be repeated. Jim last visited us in summer 2010 when he came to meet with the investigators and nurses undertaking the Confidential Inquiry into deaths of people with learning disabilities, which is being carried out for the Department of Health by a team at Norah Fry. He then joined in discussions with our staff group as a whole. Jim will be missed by everyone at Norah Fry.
Norah Fry Research Centre – research, teaching and learning. We work towards a society where everyone can be included.
