Tributes pour in for Sir Geoff Palmer

LONDON:

There has been an outpouring of sadness from the Jamaican diaspora, in the United Kingdom, following the death of one its leading academics, Sir Geoff Palmer.

The brilliant scientist lost his battle to live last week Wednesday after a prolonged illness, at the age of 85.

Palmer was born in the parish of St Elizabeth, but raised in Kingston. At 14 years old, he moved to London with his mother. Scotland would become the stomping ground for the Jamaican during much of his adult life. He initially moved to Edinburgh in 1964, to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in grain science and technology.

By 1969 Palmer had developed the barley abrasion process, an innovation that enhanced the efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of malting across the global industry.

In 1989 the Jamaican became Scotland’s first black professor, as he began a teaching role at Heriot-Watt University, which continued until 2005.

The academic returned to the institution as a professor emeritus and later as chancellor in 2021.Dwain Neil, chair of the Reach Society, a social enterprise that encourages young black men to reach their full potential, believes Sir Geoff Palmer’s legacy is significant.

Neil said: “Sir Geoff ... was one of the most outstanding scientists of our generation and I would argue for several generations, before his. The black community should know that, and promote that. We should talk about the wide-ranging ways he has impacted society, while he was alive.”

He added: “If we can make his contribution alive in the minds of our community and each generation of young people, his legacy will live on.”

OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST, ADVOCATE

As well as being a scientist, Palmer was renowned as an advocate of human rights and racial equality.

In recognition of his contributions Sir Geoff was honoured with two knighthoods. Most recently he was given the Knight of the Thistle, one of the highest distinctions awarded to a distinguished few. In 2018, he was appointed Jamaica’s first honorary consul in Scotland and is the 2020 recipient of the Jamaican national honour, the Order of Distinction.

Sir Geoff was also presented with the prestigious Edinburgh Award in 2022, an annual award given to outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on the city and gained national and international recognition for Edinburgh.

Palmer wrote several articles and books as an activist and human rights campaigner, and pushed for education around Scotland’s past roles in colonialism and slavery.

For example, The Enlightenment Abolished: The Citizens of Britishness was among the books Palmer authored, and used as platforms for him to speak out against the transatlantic slave trade.

Neil believes it was Sir Palmer’s scientific background which provided the foundation for his views on racial justice. He said: “It was not only his scientific achievements but his clarity around humanity that endeared me to him.

“As a biologist he understood there is only one humanity. He knew that it (racism) was a social construction that had no biological basis.”

Neil added: “Part of his drive for people to be dealt with humanely was that he could see a lot of stuff about race was high level divide and rule. He and I understood that there is only one humanity and that connected us very strongly.”

NEW AWARD

In 2022 Sir Geoff led a review into Edinburgh’s historic links with slavery. The review followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 by a police officer and subsequent protests by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Despite his robust efforts to address racism, Sir Geoff did not advocate for the removal of statues and building names associated with historic slave owners and those connected to the trade, such as Viscount Dundas. He would often say: “If you remove the evidence, you remove the deed.”

“That is what taking down a statue or street name is. You are trying to hide that history and that is what we should not do.”

Despite Sir Geoff Palmer’s many high-profile roles and the constant demands on his time he was always accessible to his friends.

Dr Beverly Lindsay, chair of The Association of Jamaica Nationals (Birmingham) UK, commenting on Palmer’s approachability said: “When some people reach career or professional achievements they forget where they came from. They see the need to change their accent, and you have to go through a personal assistant to communicate with them. That wasn’t the case with Geoff.”

Dr Lindsay said she was heartbroken when informed of the passing of her “beloved friend and mentor.” Professor Palmer was the patron and honorary resident of the Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham) UK.

Lindsay added: “He was a giant of a man. “Humble in spirit yet mighty in impact, whose life touched and transformed countless others. He was a true ambassador for our country, Jamaica, and our people, embodying dignity, service, and brilliance in all he did.”

A new award will be launched in October to celebrate the life of one of Britain’s most successful scientist, activist and writer. The Sir Geoff Palmer Award, will be launched on October 25, 2025, by the Reach Society, during its annual awards ceremony

Recalling a discussion he had with Palmer three months ago, about the award, Neil related:

“He said ‘if it is about education I am for it.”’

Neil added: “It will be given every year to an outstanding individual, who does what is truly exceptional. The award will encourage the genius in our community, to recognise that we have these individuals and we should trumpet them and be inspired by them. And that’s what we will be doing to keep his legacy alive. “

Sir Geoff Palmer is survived by his wife Margaret, their three children, and grandchildren.