It is with great sadness that we share the news that Emeritus Professor David Alexander recently passed away at his home at the age of 76 after a short illness.
Visiting Professor Susan Milne, who worked closely with Professor Alexander for many years, pays tribute to her friend:
“Emeritus Professor David Alan Alexander was an inspirational colleague, mentor and great friend, who will be sadly missed by the many who benefitted from his exceptional wisdom, knowledge and compassion.
“Recognised and respected nationally and internationally as a pioneer in the field of traumatic stress, testimony of the significant impact of David’s innovative work is evident in respect of informing both policy and practice. His remarkable legacy shone a guiding light on the importance of providing evidence-based mental health support to those who experience adversity as a consequence of exposure to daily trauma and major incidents/disasters and taking heed of lessons learned to advance best practice.”
Professor Alexander was a leading expert in the field of Crisis and Trauma Management and Hostage Negotiation, providing “exceptional insight” into the impact of kidnapping on hostages and their families. He received a humanitarian award from the Scottish government for his work after the Pakistan earthquake in 2005, and taught hostage negotiation at the Scottish Police College.
In a comment to the BBC, Terry Waite, President of Hostage International, who was taken hostage in 1987 in Beirut before being released five years later, said Professor Alexander was "unstinting in giving his time freely to support people who were in considerable distress".
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams added: "David supported policing in Scotland for more than 20 years and was well-known to many officers across the country from his work in relation to armed policing, negotiators and family liaison. He will be sadly missed."
Professor Paul Hagan, Vice Principal for Research and Deputy Principal here at the University Professor Hagan concludes:
“His contribution and level of commitment to these fields of practice were immense, however he was perhaps best known for his work in leading the psychiatric team after the Piper Alpha Disaster in 1988 [where 167 men sadly perished] and for his work with Professor Susan Klein in the Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research based here at RGU. He advised on psychiatric care following a number of major incidents and disasters across the globe.
Friends have asked that any donations be made to charities supporting the mental health of military personnel.