Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland’s First Black Professor, Dies

Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland’s first black professor and a pioneering grain scientist, died at age 85. Born in Jamaica and part of the Windrush generation, Palmer arrived in Edinburgh in the 1960s and overcame racial barriers to become chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. His barley abrasion process was widely adopted by major UK breweries and revolutionized brewing. Recognized for his advocacy of racial equality and historical awareness, Palmer campaigned for acknowledging Scotland’s slave trade role and favored educational initiatives over removing monuments. He was knighted in 2014 for services to human rights, science, and charity, and appointed to the Order of the Thistle in 2023. Tributes from leaders and colleagues described him as a courageous advocate for justice, an inspiration, and an intellectual giant.