[Aqualist] Vale Emeritus Professor Geoff Hope

[Simon Haberle]

Dear colleagues,

It is with great sadness that I convey the news that our friend, colleague, and AQUA life member Emeritus Professor Geoff Hope, passed away over the Christmas break after a long battle with cancer. Geoff was a close friend and mentor to many of us and contributed enormously to the disciplines of palynology, botany, palaeoecology and biogeography. Geoff was at ANU since 1978 and is responsible for training generations of palaeoecologists and igniting the curiosity of many in the field of natural history. His research into landscape change and the role of people in the environmental history of New Guinea, Australia, the Pacific and Asia is foundational and stands as a remarkable testament to the importance and effectiveness of doing field based research with a minimum of technology and an abundance of enthusiasm. His recent award of Life Membership in AQUA is a small reflection of the enormous contribution that Geoff made over the years to the Australasian Quaternary Association. His keen wit, wisdom and gentle encouragement for everyone with a curiosity for the natural world will be sorely missed.

A Festschrift published in Geoff’s honour in 2010 details the legacy of Geoff’s enduring contribution as an inspirational research leader, collaborator and mentor (https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/terra-australis/altered-ecologies).

Regards, Simon


Prof Simon Haberle
Director, School of Culture, History & Language
Professor of Natural History

ANU College of Asia & the Pacific
Coombs Builiding (Rm 3.378), Fellows Rd
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
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