The University of the West Indies (UWI) is mourning the loss of Professor Emeritus Sir Geoff Palmer, the trailblazing Jamaican-born scientist, educator, and champion of human rights, who passed away on June 12, 2025.
In an official statement, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, called Sir Geoff “our dear friend, colleague, and mentor” and hailed his legacy as a “quintessential West Indian” whose work transcended disciplines and continents.
Sir Geoff was born in rural Jamaica and migrated to England as a teenager, becoming an iconic figure of the Windrush generation. In 1989, he made history as Scotland’s first Black professor, joining Heriot-Watt University, where he led a distinguished career.
He developed the barley abrasion process—a method that speeds up the malting of barley by gently scratching the grain’s surface to help it absorb water faster. This innovation made beer and whisky production more efficient and cost-effective for breweries. He also founded the university’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, a world-leading facility that still trains brewing professionals today.
“Sir Geoff, synonymous with grain science technology, made significant contributions throughout his academic journey,” Beckles noted in the statement. His pioneering research included innovations in sorghum use as a brewing and food resource in Africa, which supported food security efforts and small-scale farming initiatives.
Palmer was not only a scientific trailblazer—he was also a bold voice for justice and equity. “Speaking boldly on the side of truth and justice,” Beckles said, “he wrote extensively on the history of Scotland’s connection to the enslavement of people of African origin in the Caribbean.” He became a leading public figure during the UK’s debates over historical memory, calling for educational plaques on monuments linked to the transatlantic slave trade rather than their removal.
A strong advocate for equity in education, Sir Geoff Palmer also worked on improving academic outcomes for ethnic-minority children in the UK and authored works like Mr White and the Ravens and The Enlightenment Abolished exploring colonialism and race.
He was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003, and was knighted in 2014 for his services to science, human rights, and charity. In 2015, The UWI awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree for his outstanding contributions to science and society. He also served as Jamaica’s first Honorary Consul in Scotland from 2018 and was appointed a Commander in Jamaica’s Order of Distinction in 2020. In 2021, he became Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, a role he held until his passing.
“This son of the Jamaican soil has a legacy that extends beyond his academic achievements,” Beckles said, noting Sir Geoff’s influence on generations of students and scholars. He also advised major global brands like Guinness, Heineken, and Cobra, helping to bring science into the heart of industry.
“Farewell, Sir Geoff,” the Vice-Chancellor concluded. “Flagrans veritatis studio – may our memory of you continue to burn as bright as your zeal for truth.”
