“Many of us acknowledge that the success of much of our teaching is  

due to the diversity of our student body and the high levels of motivation, commitment and  

enthusiasm that the students themselves bring to the university.  

At the same time, it is an opportune moment to examine our own practices, rather than problematising the practices of our students.  

We do need to make transparent the forms and processes of academic discourse  

and work to facilitate student negotiation of the potentially hostile environment that is  

Academia"                                      

Sinfield Burns and Holley (2004) 


This extract is from one of the first collaborations written with Sandra and Tom. I think many us will recognise Toms’ values and voice in this summary to the book chapter, and he spent the following three decades fighting for, and championing students and making their voices heard across the academy - in his home institution, through his work with those of us privileged enough to know and write with him, nationally and indeed internationally. Toms’ legacy is his body of work, which clearly articulates the ways in which we can all – the student community, discipline staff, learning developers, technologists, artists and beyond - come together to reframe learning as spaces of agency and power.   

Tom will be missed as a collaborator, mentor and above all a friend. Long evenings spent ‘down the van’ where Sandra and Tom spend much of their time will be so much missed – Tom sitting on the settee, roll-up cigarette and beer in hand, talking theory and real world politics with his own unique take on the world – one which will feel emptier without him being there. Heartfelt condolences to Sandra on the loss of her life partner and writing ally.  

Debbie and Nev Holley