Paddy O’Donnell

Psychology academic Born: July 12, 1947; Died: April 3, 2016

PROFESSOR Paddy O’Donnell, who died aged 68, was an academic in psychology at the University of Glasgow who held a number of senior positions in his long career, including deputy head of school, a role he held until his retirement. He taught across all levels of the curriculum and, without interruption, presented the introductory lectures in psychology to Level 1 students for 45 years.

Born in Govan, he attended Holy Cross Primary and St Aloysius’ College and in all, spent 46 years working at Glasgow University, only retiring in November. Through his personal teaching and scholarship, he provided the highest quality learning experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students and the cumulative audience for his lectures stands at over 25,000 students. His lectures have been heard by mothers and fathers, their sons and daughters, and at least one grandchild.

His reputation also extended into the media – he was a regular consultant for his expert views and was popular on social media too, where students created a Facebook page called The Legend that is Paddy O’Donnell.

As a teacher, he was highly respected and popular. He was also an enthusiastic PhD supervisor, successfully graduating over a dozen students who have taken on academic or professional careers in the discipline. In 2011, for a career distinguished by significant and sustained commitment to excellence, he received a Teaching Excellence Award.

Professor O’Donnell’s first position at the university was assistant lecturer in 1969, although he became a lecturer shortly thereafter. He was quickly recognised as a gifted teacher and administrator and was appointed as dean of social sciences in 1983 and was promoted to senior lecturer in 1987. He then took on the role of head of department in psychology for 11 years.

He continued as deputy head of department and director of teaching and, subsequently, deputy head of school until his retirement. He was promoted to professor of teaching, learning and assessment in 2006.

Over the years, he also served on many faculty and college committees, including college management; he chaired the working party on equal opportunities, and was an elected member of senate. He was well-known for his perspicacity, sharp wit, and humour and the energy and dedication it took to contribute to the university in this way for such a sustained period cannot be overstated; his contribution, always made with insight and humour, was effective and inclusive.

His research included work on computer interfaces, an area in which he established important industrial links with NCR, IBM, and Honeywell. He also maintained an interest in addiction research, therapeutic treatments, and decision-making in accounting. Most recently, his career gained an international reputation with the publication of 15 high-impact papers elucidating the immediate temporal dynamics and neural underpinnings of how we process the written word. Professor O’Donnell’s contribution to the University of Glasgow – academically, administratively, and pedagogically – has been truly immense. Over the decades, his vision and tireless efforts forged the foundation of the national and international recognition and success that psychology at the University of Glasgow enjoys today. In this spirit, and to inspire all of us to rise to his high standards, the school will offer from next academic year an annually funded O’Donnell Learning and Teaching Award to recognise and encourage staff activity in the areas of teaching, learning and assessment.

Professor Muffy Calder, vice-principal and head of college, science and engineering said Professor O’Donnell had been a wonderful academic colleague.

“He was a great communicator who cared deeply about students and how we teach them,” said Professor Calder. “He made a huge impact on students and staff alike. Any meeting with Paddy was a good one – he brought insight, clarity of thought, and a good dose of irreverence. In any discussion, I always looked forward to a pithy remark from Paddy, reminding us what really mattered. We will all miss him dreadfully; he was remarkable.”

A former Glasgow University student once said of him: “Even before your first lecture you hear of him from older students and he sure does not disappoint.”

Professor O’Donnell died peacefully, at home, after an illness bravely borne, in the presence of his family.

He is survived by his wife Mary and his daughter Ruth.