In memory of Elaine Sykes

Abstract

One of the greatest gifts university gives us (aside from the education!) is friendship. If you are lucky, you can find friendships at LJMU that will last the rest of your lives. And so the editors Jane and Jen would like to dedicate this edition of the PHI Journal in memory of our dear friend Elaine Sykes, who passed away suddenly in June 2025. Elaine began her career as a Research Support Officer at the Public Health Institute before moving on to the LJMU library and eventually becoming Head of Open Research at the University of Lancaster. Elaine was kind, empathetic, fiercely intelligent, strong, forthright, loyal and witty. Everyday she brought warmth and laughter to the people around her. If we could give one bit of advice to our graduating students it would be to try and do the same, because they are the qualities that no one will ever forget. We will certainly never forget Elaine.