Issues Deliberation Australia Founding Advisory Board member, Sir Roger Jowell, sadly passed away on Christmas Day 2011.  An integral member of the IDA family, Sir Roger inspired IDA in more ways than we can count.  We are so glad he was able to visit Australia for our national Deliberative Poll on Islam / West relations. IDA and the world have lost a remarkable scholar, whose contribution lives on in the rigor of our work and the enthusiasm we bring to it.

 

IDA Managing Director and Psychology Beyond Borders Executive Chair, Dr. Pamela Ryan, fondly remembers the first Deliberative Poll with Sir Roger - on the future of the British National Health Service in Great Britain.  Just before the British citizens started arriving, Sir Roger gleefully looked at Pam and said "It is the most exciting phenomenon for social scientists to actually see a national random sample all together in one place.  And so astonishingly rare for any of us to have such an amazing opportunity. You won't believe what it's like when you witness this microcosm of Britain come together ."

 

All of us at IDA and PBB are deeply saddened by Sir Roger's death but we carry his intellectual glee forward.