Vale Professor John Hearn

The Australia Africa Universities Network community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Professor John Hearn, our AAUN Co-Founder and Australia Co-Chair, last weekend in Sydney.

John was an academic leader dedicated to building successful and equitable international collaboration between universities, in service of both science and society. His passion, hard work and long-standing commitment to forging Australia-Africa partnerships was widely recognised and inspiring to all.

John’s impactful global legacy will live on through the ongoing work of AAUN and his other major initiatives. To acknowledge his co-founding of the AAUN in 2012 and his strong support for the development of early career researchers, in September 2024 the AAUN had formally launched the Annual AAUN John Hearn-Cheryl de la Rey ECR Prize.

We express our profound sympathy and condolences to John’s family, and many friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.

A full tribute and further information on arrangements will be provided in due course.

For now, the AAUN raises one final toast to mark the passing of our great colleague, mentor and leader, Professor John Hearn.