We're sad to announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Dr Harriet Sturdy.
Harriet started work as the Centre of Development Studies' PhD Administrator in 2022, having previously worked as Headteacher at the Cambridge International School. Harriet co-founded the School in 2005.
Above all, we will remember Harriet for her kindness. In her four years working for the Centre, she guided dozens of students through their PhD studies with unconditional patience, warmth and generosity.
Harriet was fond of cheese scones, Mike Leigh films, The Guardian website and international travel. When her colleagues asked each other what they did over the weekend, most would say that they stayed at home or visited friends and family. Harriet would scroll through her phone to show photos that she'd taken that Saturday in Paris or Rome. Harriet's friends, colleagues and students will remember the cheese straws that she brought to her PhD coffee mornings, her hatred of vegetables, her wry sense of humour, her distrust of Cambridge bus schedules, the glass mug that she used for tea (never coffee), the joy that she took from her trips to Australia and her love for her family. As Harriet would always leave the office at 1.30, her colleagues will forever remember that time of day as 'Harriet o'clock'.
We'll all miss Harriet and remember her with love.
Write a Tribute
Harriet's students, friends and colleagues are welcome to submit tributes to her memory. If you'd like to share a tribute, please email admin@devstudies.ac.uk and we will be happy to post it on this page.
Message from Daniel Rincón Machón (PhD Student, Development Studies)
Harriet was one of the first people I met in the department, and she was a constant support throughout my PhD — whether I was in Cambridge or away doing fieldwork. It could be a smile on a hard day, or her ability to cut through the formalities of an email and simply ask how I was doing: she made CDS feel welcoming. Harriet was spontaneously, genuinely good to be around, and she will be deeply missed. As sad as it makes me that she won't be there when I submit, I feel lucky to have shared so many good moments with her. I have no doubt her kindness will live on in the memory of everyone who knew her.
Message from Fadi Amer (PhD Student, Development Studies)
Harriet was a truly wonderful person - a brilliant soul, who was so helpful and kind to me and everyone I've known during my time at Cambridge. CDS is forever indebted to her warmth and generosity of spirit. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Message from Madeleine Shaw (MPhil Student, Politics and International Studies)
Harriet was the headmaster at Cambridge International School when I moved from the US to Cambridge for Year 6 at age 12—I remember vividly how she welcomed me into the new school with open arms. She encouraged me to meet friends, join clubs, audition for a play, and participate in a multilingual singing competition. She even organized a Skype call with my classmates before I arrived to make me feel less nervous. Without Harriet’s warmth, generosity, and genuine kindness, I may never have decided to return to Cambridge for my MPhil or continued to travel around the world. I can’t imagine the impact she had on countless others—she will be missed more than she knew.