The following news story was published by the University of Bath on February 14, 2022:
The University is saddened to announce the death of Dr. Alan Arthurs, lecturer in the School of Management between 1976 and 2006.
Alan Arthurs joined the School of Management in 1976 after training as a research scientist and working for Imperial Chemical Industries, taking early retirement in 2006.
Emeritus Professor Nicholas Kinnie in the School of Management said: “Alan was a welcoming and supportive colleague for the staff who joined the School around this time. He conducted influential research in several areas including managerial unionism and the use of IT by Personnel Managers. However, it was his work with Professor John Doyle on the Research Assessment Exercise which hit the headlines in 1995. Their studies explored how the research quality of business schools could be assessed and revealed that, at the time, even internationally excellent schools published mostly in UK based journals.”
Alan also enjoyed close relationships with what is now the Department of Social and Policy Sciences. Emeritus Professor Geof Wood said: “Alan was a fine academic, with an applied dimension, who cherished and made proper use of his academic freedom.
“In addition to his research, Alan was a well-respected teacher who made essential contributions at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Peter Cressey from SPS said: “The students appreciated Alan’s lengthy industrial experience and his ability to engage them through his particular expertise in working time, equal opportunities and sexual discrimination.”
Alan also had a strong reputation outside the University. He played a significant role in the implementation of Equal Pay legislation when he was appointed as an Independent Expert on Equal Pay by the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Alan will be remembered as a kind, supportive and dedicated colleague who did much to enhance the external reputation of the University.