Celebration held honouring Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland's first Black professor

A celebration has been held honouring the life and legacy of Sir Geoff Palmer, a renowned scientist and human rights campaigner.

Scotland’s first black professor, Sir Geoff was known for his academic work in grain and brewing and became a distinguished campaigner for equal rights.

He was described by those who knew him as “one of Scotland’s best” with a “courageous voice for justice and equality”.

At a special service in his honour, hundreds of people gathered to remember the campaigner.

Memorial guest Ojel Agwunobi said: “I’d say he was kind and had a passion for helping people of colour get a stand in, in Scotland in general, and really pushing for inclusion.

“I think we should remember him as someone who fought for us to be where we are today, and we should always advocate for others when we have a chance.”

Sir Geoff, who died in June aged 85, was a renowned scientist and humanitarian.

He moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager, becoming Scotland’s first black professor in 1989, and was a tireless advocate for equality and justice.

Richard A. Williams, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: “When you met him, you remembered that you met him, he was very personable, very charming, very insistent and very authentic.

“Most of all, I think he really espoused the message of there being one humanity, one humanity, so that was really manifest in everything that he said and did.”

Sir Geoff was knighted in 2014 for services to human rights, science and charity and within the decade that followed was also installed in the prestigious Order of the Thistle for his contribution to Scotland.

Friday’s service recognised a long list of his achievements, mixed with stories about the man behind the titles.

STV News reporter Laura Piper added: “I had the privilege of interviewing Sir Geoff on a number of occasions.

“In our last interview before he died, he stopped halfway through to feed a small wild bird in his garden, a frequent visitor, he said. For him, national news could wait when there was a moment of kindness and care to be given. It was a character trait often witnessed by those who spent time with him.”

In a lasting tribute to Sir Geoff, the University has created a new scholarship in his honour.

The Sir Geoff Palmer Memorial Scholarship will allow a student of Jamaican descent or citizenship to follow in his footsteps and reflect Sir Geoff’s dedication to opportunity, inclusion, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to thrive.