Remembering Professor Tim Doyle
Sadly, Timothy Doyle, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations in the School of Social Sciences, passed away in Adelaide (Australia) on Thursday 9th October, after a long illness.
Tim was a prolific and internationally-recognised scholar in the study of international environmental political economy. He served as Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Adelaide in Australia. He was a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Australia-Asia-Pacific Institute (AAPI), Curtin University, Western Australia. Additionally, he was the former Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group and the Chief Editor of the Journal of the Indian Ocean Region.
Tim's remarkable academic contributions will not, however, be his only legacy to the world. His personality was a mosaic of contradictions. He was a charismatic, pragmatic, principled dreamer. He was a mischief-maker, a problem-solver, and a mentor to countless emerging academics. These qualities made him an excellent teacher as well as a wonderful collaborator, capable of building and maintaining networks of scholars from around the globe. Those who worked with Tim quickly became his friends; Tim collected friends. His passionate love of life, curiosity, and sense of humour meant that, at the time of his death, his collection was vast.
Tim lived many lives at once. He was a political activist, environmentalist, and human rights campaigner. He supported the Collingwood Aussie Rules Football Club throughout his life and firmly believed in the superiority of the Australian cricket team. A farmer, sailor, and singer, he also wrote two novels, one of which was published this year. His final years were spent in Adelaide, in the loving company of his wife, children, and grandchildren. However, his favourite place on earth was his farm in Second Valley, where he watched the sea while replanting native species of pre-colonial flora and tending to his sacred olive trees.
Tim was always very proud of his Irish roots, so it is fitting to say goodbye with the words Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Air — Eternal Rest be Upon Him. He is deeply missed by all of us whose lives had the fortune to encounter him.
Written by former colleague, Barry Ryan
