Professor Mike Neary: Tribute and Funeral Arrangements

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Mike Neary, Emeritus Professor of Sociology in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln.

Mike, who joined the University of Lincoln as Dean of Teaching and Learning and Head of the Centre for Educational Research and Development in 2007, created and led the Student as Producer initiative which became so pivotal to our development over the past decade.

During his 15 years at Lincoln, Mike also served as Director of the Graduate School before joining the School of Social and Political Sciences as Professor of Sociology, also taking on duties as Director of Research for the School. He was a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was awarded honorary lifetime membership of Lincoln Students’ Union in 2014.

He published extensively on higher education policy, pedagogy, academic labour, curriculum development, digital and educational innovation, and student engagement. He was a much-loved and greatly respected colleague, known for his warm, welcoming approach and brilliant sense of humour. He made a profound and lasting contribution to the University of Lincoln and many other institutions in the UK and internationally as a genuinely bold and innovative thinker on the purpose of higher education. Most recently, his work on Student as Producer was recognised at the international RAISE student engagement conference, held at Lincoln in September 2022.

Mike’s funeral will take place on 14 February at 1:50pm at Lincoln Crematorium on Washingborough Road. Colleagues, friends and students are welcome at the service. A webpage created by Mike’s family with more details on the funeral and tributes can be found here: https://nearyfamily.squarespace.com/. Donations in Mike’s memory will support St Barnabas Hospice.