Remembering Vicky Randall, 1945–2019

We are saddened to learn of the death of feminist scholar Vicky Randall, who passed away on 22 November, aged 74.

Professor Randall’s career was dedicated to researching the role of women in democracy, and she published widely in this field.

For most of her career, Vicky Randall was based at the University of Essex, latterly as professor of politics, until she retired and was made emeritus in 2010. 

Vicky Randall served for three years as the chair of the UK Political Studies Association, from 2008 until 2011, and she was a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

In 2012, she was presented by the PSA with a Special Recognition Award in honour of her work integrating gender analysis into political science, and her efforts to secure fairer representation of women in political life and the study of politics.

Vicky Randall’s work covered childcare policy in welfare states, women’s legislative quotas and child prostitution. 

After her formal retirement in 2010, Professor Randall’s focus became old age and politics, in particular the participation of older people in political parties and third sector organisations.

Vicky Randall will be remembered as a pioneering academic who helped shape the discipline through her scholarship and through her activism.

♦ Read full obituary on University of Essex website

♦ Statement from UK Political Science Association

♦ Tribute in Times Higher Education

Keywords: Democracy, Gender, Feminism