UKRIO Honours the Legacy of David Carpenter
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of our dear colleague and friend, David Carpenter, who passed away on Tuesday the 29th of January.
David was involved with UKRIO for many years, initially offering his expertise in research ethics as a volunteer before later serving as a trainer and consultant. This followed his retirement as a lecturer in moral and political philosophy at the University of Portsmouth.
Beyond his work with UKRIO, David held several prominent roles in Research Ethics Committees. He served as Chair of the HRA South Central-Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee and the NHS Research Ethics Committee. Additionally, he was a member of the British Psychological Society Ethics Committee, Portsmouth Hospitals Trust’s Ethics Committee, and the Rowans Hospice Executive Ethics Group.
David was a dedicated advocate for UKRIO and its mission. He was a pleasure to work with, and we are immensely grateful for the tireless support he provided to the charity and its staff over the past decade.
With his UKRIO ‘hat on’, David gave expert advice on enquiries to our Advisory Service and memorable training to many Research Ethics Committee members throughout the UK. His knowledge and experience of research ethics in practice was invaluable to the research community. He supported and encouraged REC members to focus on the ethics without getting mired down in the governance. For those that received David’s training, you will know how passionate he was about allowing time to really consider the ethical implications of research.
David’s wonderfully unique perspectives, expertise and personality will be truly missed.
UKRIO CEO, Stephanie Neave, says:
‘It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of David Carpenter, our beloved colleague. David’s commitment to ethical standards and his compassionate nature left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working with him – and his unwavering dedication to research integrity and expert insights shaped our work and will continue to influence for years to come. Our thoughts are with David’s family, colleagues, and friends during this very difficult time. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the ethical values he instilled in all of us.’