Flag at half-mast

Simon Goodchild joined Agder University College in 2004 and immediately assumed a vital role in the mathematics education community. His PhD programme played a crucial part in the accreditation of the University of Agder a few years later. Goodchild supervised and mentored a significant number of PhD candidates at UiA and across the country, including through the PhD training courses he ran for years. He also served as head of the PhD programme for many years. Goodchild's greatest achievement was the establishment of UiA's Centre for Excellence in Education - MatRIC, which he headed for a number of years. His contributions were crucial in positioning UiA as a leader in innovation, development, and research in mathematics education within higher education, yielding significant positive outcomes, facilitating an international network and driving development and research on a national scale.

Simon Goodchild was committed to making a difference, particularly in contributing to the development of his colleagues. He always prioritised their needs over his, while still leaving behind an impressive scientific body of work. Above all, he is remembered as a dear friend, highly knowledgeable in many areas and with a wonderful sense of humour, affability, and an unwavering work ethic.

Simon Goodchild's funeral will be held at Oddernes kapell on Thursday 11 April, at 11:30, followed by a commemorative gathering at Oddernes menighetshus. 

The flag will be raised after the service.

Obituary - Simon Goodchild 

Our dear colleague, Professor Simon Goodchild, died on 25 March after a brief illness.

Born in 1950 and educated in England, Simon worked as a mathematics teacher and teacher educator for many years before joining the University of Agder, then Agder University College, in 2004 and immediately taking on a crucial role in the academic community. Simon supervised 10 candidates in mathematics education towards their PhDs and led the PhD programme and training courses for many years. For many other research fellows, Simon was a good mentor and support, and he was fully engaged supervising two of our candidates who are nearing completion of their doctoral theses.

Simon's perhaps greatest achievement during his tenure at UiA was the establishment of our Centre for Excellence in Education - MatRIC, which he led for many years. His contributions were critical in positioning UiA as a leader in innovation, development, and research in mathematics education within higher education with a strong international network and as a driver of development and research nationwide.

Simon included others in his work, ensuring that the next generation is poised to build upon and continue what he created. Simon was able to combine his scientific work with being a warm colleague and friend. He was dedicated to making a difference, specifically in fostering the development of his colleagues whose needs he always prioritised over his own.

On Saturday 16 March, colleagues at the Department of Mathematical Sciences received an email from Simon where he explained that he had been diagnosed with incurable cancer the day prior. He did not hide that the prognosis was very poor, but he felt well taken care of by the hospital staff and found solace in his Christian faith.

We, at UiA, are grateful for the privilege of working and developing alongside Simon and for having him among us as an especially friendly colleague for two decades. Most of all, Simon will be remembered as a dear friend, possessing broad knowledge in diverse areas and exhibiting a wonderful sense of humour, affability, and an unwavering work ethic. The response we have received over the past week from colleagues, friends, and partners – both nationally and internationally – confirms that the grief of losing an exceptionally outstanding colleague and friend extends beyond UiA.

It is fitting to quote his concluding remark in the aforementioned email of 16 March: 
"Be of good courage, continue the excellent work you are doing!"

We offer our sincere condolences and wish to honour the memory of Simon Goodchild.

Ingvald Erfjord, Head of Department, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Agder.