Keith G. Jeffery passed away on 15 January 2026. He served the European research community, and ERCIM in particular, with long-standing commitment over several decades.

Keith took office as ERCIM President on 1 January 2005, at a time when he was Director of IT at CCLRC, the UK member organisation of ERCIM (later STFC). He firmly believed that only by working together in a coordinated manner, ERCIM could play a meaningful role in the European knowledge society. This conviction guided his presidency until its conclusion at the end of 2013.

During his presidency, ERCIM grew into a widely recognised key player in European ICT research. Keith steered the Consortium through a number of important structural changes, including opening ERCIM membership to allow multiple members per country, significantly broadening its scientific base and strengthening its role at the European level.

Keith’s academic background was in geology, in which he earned his PhD. His research led him at an early stage to the field of information systems, shaping a career focused on database systems, scientific computing, research information systems, and e-infrastructures.

At the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, he led research groups and divisions working on database systems, knowledge and software engineering, and large-scale research services. As Director of IT at CCLRC (1998–2006) and later at STFC (2006–2013), he was responsible for major research IT operations and international strategy.

Keith gained experience across all major governance structures of ERCIM and continued to support its activities even after stepping down as President, including serving as scientific coordinator in several EU-funded projects.

Keith G. Jeffery will be remembered with great appreciation for his leadership, professionalism, and sustained commitment to strengthening European research through cooperation.