[Maths-Education] Fwd: [Jerry Becker Listserv] Sad News from University of Agder

[Peter Gates]

Dear Colleagues,



It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear colleague, Professor Simon Goodchild at University of Agder in Norway. On the 16th of March Simon informed his colleagues that he the day before had been diagnosed with cancer beyond the possibility of treatment. Just nine days later, in the morning of the 25th of March he passed away remaining calmed by his firm Christian faith. Colleagues, family and friends are left in shock and sadness, but with the greatest thankfulness for what he meant and did for all of us.



Simon Goodchild was born in the village Witham, in the county of Essex in England. He took his education in the UK, with his PhD in Mathematics Education at the University of Exeter. Simon worked several years as a mathematics teacher in England and Malawi, and teacher educator in UK.  Simon came to the University of Agder in 2004, and through these 20 years contributed extensively as a Professor in Mathematics Education to the development of the Research group in Mathematics Education (MERGA)<https://www.uia.no/en/research/priority-research-centres/merga-mathematics-education-research-group-at-agder> and with many strong collaborators nationally and internationally. Simon was indeed an exceptional researcher in the field of mathematics education, and did a marvellous work in developing top education to the future by leading the PhD-program at UiA and supervising more than 10 PhD fellows in Mathematics Education.



Simon developed and led The Centre for Research, Innovation and Coordination of Mathematics Teaching (MatRIC<https://www.uia.no/en/centres-and-networks/matric>) at UiA,<https://www.uia.no/en/centres-and-networks/matric> a national Centre for Excellence in Higher Education, established in January 2014. Simon’s role in the establishment and development of the centre’s enterprise has been vital, and now university mathematics education is an evolving research area both at UiA and elsewhere, also evident from a fast increasing number of PhDs with this as their area of expertise.



Simon Goodchild devoted a major part of his working life to Mathematics Education at University of Agder, always with the main concern for his colleagues’ and master students’ development although his personal achievements as teacher educator and researcher also were amazingly high. Additionally, Simon was a dear friend, he had a lovely sense of humour and all of us loved talking and being with him. His death is a great loss for all of us.



Simon Goodchild’s funeral ceremony is in Oddernes kapell close to the University of Agder, Thursday April 11, 11:30 Norwegian time (UTC + 1) . The ceremony is live streamed, for more information read: https://andas.vareminnesider.no/memorial_page/memorial_page_personal_info.php?order_id=4301668&set_site_id=283&cat=home&sign=a54b080af6eb5ac814f0efc8dde01d8c#<https://andas.vareminnesider.no/memorial_page/memorial_page_personal_info.php?order_id=4301668&set_site_id=283&cat=home&sign=a54b080af6eb5ac814f0efc8dde01d8c>



Sincerely,



Dr. Ingvald Erfjord

Head of Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Agder, Norway

Phone.:+47 38141547/+4790190201, Office J3-058