Tributes paid to 'inspirational' Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland's first black professor, after death aged 85

Tributes have been paid following the death of Scotland’s first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer, at 85.

Sir Geoff, a chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and became Scotland’s first black professor in 1989.

His death was confirmed on Thursday night by Heriot-Watt University, who described him as an “inspiration” to all colleagues past and present.

Professor Richard A. Williams, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, led the tributes to Sir Geoff. He said: “Today marks a sad day for this University and for everyone who knew Sir Geoff.

“He was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this University was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years.

“He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.”

First Minister John Swinney said Sir Geoff’s will be “sorely missed”.

He said: “Sir Geoff Palmer was a pioneer and an outstanding intellectual. He had a hugely positive impact on Scotland and will be sorely missed.”

In a post to social media on Thursday night, Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury said he was “deeply saddened” following the news of Sir Geoff’s passing.

“He was not only a distinguished scientist & academic, but also a courageous voice for justice & equality,” Mr Choudhury wrote.

“My sincere condolences to his family & all who knew and admired him. May his soul rest in peace.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute. In a post on X, he said: “Very sad news … Sir Geoff was a gentleman, a pioneer and an intellectual giant.

“He will be dearly missed. Love to his family and friends.”

Born in 1940, Sir Geoff arrived in Edinburgh in 1964 to pursue a PhD in grain science and technology jointly with the then Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh.

After completing his doctorate in 1967, he began working at the Brewing Research Foundation, where his academic work saw him invent the industrial process of barley abrasion and pioneer the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains.

Sir Geoff went on to become Scotland’s first black professor in 1989 before eventually retiring in 2005, but was later appointed chancellor of Heriot-Watt in 2021.

He was knighted in the 2014 New Year’s Honours for services to human rights, science and charity and in July 2024, he was recognised for his contribution to Scotland and installed in the prestigious Order of the Thistle.

Also known as a passionate advocate for the rights of black communities, Sir Geoff’s legacy saw him invited by Edinburgh City Council to chair a review group looking at the city’s colonial heritage.