Andrew Rudd Obituary
It is with deep regret that the staff students friends collaborators and supporters of the Andrew and Virginia Rudd Research and Professional Practice Centre at the University of Cambridge learned the very sad news that Andrew Rudd recently passed away.
The Rudd Centre at the University of Cambridge is a leading research-intensive initiative that uniquely engages state-of-the-art research methods aimed at advancing scientific knowledge promoting improvements to practice and enhancing policy development. The Centre aims to set new standards of research-led intervention and prevention-based innovation to improve the life chances of young people by supporting those that work with vulnerable children families and other groups.
The Centre’s Director and Professor of the Psychology of Education and Mental Health Gordon Harold said:
“It is with sincere regret that we learned this very sad news. Andrew Rudd was both a friend and a strong supporter of the work of our Centre. Together with the significant support provided by Andrew and Virginia Rudd to allow the Centre to pursue its work Andrew took a very keen interest in not just the research that was conducted and communicated from the Rudd Centre but the real-world impacts that this research was having in promoting positive outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families”.
“Andrew was an internationally recognised and respected mathematician and he regularly held me and others to account in conversations about some of the mathematical and statistical underpinnings of our research always in a jovial and constructive fashion”.
“When not talking about our research Andrew and I shared many conversations about his favourite football team Tottenham Hotspur his favourite wines and most frequently the pride he had in his own family his children and very recent grandchildren”.
“I will always remember Andrew’s broad and sincere smile one that encouraged you to do your best knowing that Andrew really wanted the best for what we were working to achieve to assist those that mattered most – families parents and children in need of support”.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and International Partnerships Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith said:
“The work of the Rudd Centre reflects some of the core research values and ambitions of the University. Through world-leading research it promotes positive outcomes and enhanced life-chances for those in our society most in need of evidence-informed solutions”.
“The support provided by Andrew and Virginia has already led to research providing significant positive impacts for children and families in the UK and internationally. We extend our sincere condolences to Virginia and to the family and friends of Andrew”.
Andrew will be sadly missed but he will be remembered for so many positives and in particular his encouraging words at times of challenge or difficulty – “Onwards and Upwards.” Thank you Andrew.