Peter Davies

The Economics Network is saddened to learn of the recent death of Peter Davies of the University of Birmingham.

Peter had a long standing commitment to the Economics Network, with a wealth of contributions to activities over several decades, including as the first editor of the Handbook for Economics Lecturers. He had an enormously influential impact on the enhancement of teaching and learning, including his pioneering work on threshold concepts in economics and as a founding editor of the International Review of Economics Education in 2003. The journal emerged as the product of collaboration between colleagues in the UK, Europe and Australia keen to advance research in economics education. Peter was especially keen to promote attention to the statistical analysis of evidence demonstrating the impact and innovation in economics education, which remains a key focus of the journal's ethos today.

As an academic, Peter enjoyed a good debate – he’d happily discuss the issue at hand and continue to ask his ever-probing questions. As the questions continued, it became more and more clear what his point was, and that it was correct. He’d always smile when he knew you finally saw his point. He was good-humored and a wonderful colleague (who’d happily inform you of the latest West Bromwich Albion result).

Alvin Birdi, Bill Bosshardt, Ross Guest, and David McCausland; photo reproduced by kind permission of the School of Education, University of Birmingham.