In memoriam – Professor Julian Williams

08 May 2025

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Professor Julian Williams.

Julian was a Professor of Education at Manchester Institute of Education in the School of Environment, Education and Development.

Julian sadly passed away on 25 March 2025 and leaves behind a deep legacy. Following a career in schools, he joined the University as an academic in 1984 teaching and researching mathematics education. Julian completed his PhD in Applied Mathematics PhD at the University of Leeds in 1991.

Through his interest in learning and teaching mathematics Julian explored themes of accessibility, equality and sustainability and his impact and influence were widespread at the University, nationally and internationally.

Julian convened the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Special Interest Group on Socio-cultural Activity Theory, led Manchester Institute of Education’s Green Research in Education Group (GRiEG) developing educational research and practice for a globally sustainable future, and was a member of the Editorial Collective of Mind, Culture and Activity, which manages Cultural Praxis.

Julian was the Principal Investigator of the Economic and Social Research Council funded Transmaths series of projects beginning with the TLRP Widening Participation Programme project entitled: 'Keeping the door open to mathematically-demanding programmes in Higher Education’. Julian was also a valuable contributor to The British Academy’s systematic review of research into the issue of maths anxiety, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) evaluation of The Increasing Competence and Confidence in Algebra and Multiplicative Structures (ICCAMS) intervention, and The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Learning Gain project.

Professor Lisa Murtagh, Head of Manchester Institute of Education reflected: “Julian touched countless lives with his wisdom and unwavering dedication. He was a fantastic mentor to many colleagues, and his infectious enthusiasm for mathematics education endeared him to students and colleagues alike. Julian’s legacy of intellectual curiosity and selfless mentorship will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.”

An exemplary colleague and intellectual and a credit to Manchester Institute of Education, the School of Environment, Education and Development and The University of Manchester, Professor Julian Williams will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and sympathies lie with Julian’s family, friends, colleagues and students who had the privilege of knowing and learning from him.