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I am very sorry that I didnt get to know you better. Your office was next to mine and whenever we bumped into each other - you just radiated joy. You were always organising yet another fascinating event, contributing to another project and simply fizzing with ideas. You will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to all her family and friends.
Dr Aglaya Snetkov, UCL SSEES
I will always remember the time Philippa invited me to the Royal Opera House in 2018. With a spare ticket for a performance of “La bohème” – Ale was unexpectedly in New York – Philippa suggested we meet up for a glass of bubbly before the performance to catch up. In the majestic setting of the Paul Hamlyn Hall, Philippa was in sparkling form. She switched effortlessly between an earnest take on a particular injustice, to a hilarious joke, to a brilliant insight drawing on her research, all with warmth and laughter and light. This is just one example that shows why people use the words they use when talking about Philippa: brilliant, generous, kind, funny, erudite, determined, eloquent. The list goes on. I feel incredibly lucky to have known Philippa – to have been a colleague, a friend, and a co-author. And it’s so desperately unfair that she has gone. But Philippa will live on – in her work and in our memories of her. I send my heartfelt condolences to Ale and other members of Philippa’s family.
Dr Ben Noble, UCL SSEES
You were one of the most kind, generous and thoughtful colleagues that I have ever worked with. It was a pleasure to work with you on 1989 and on the Roma course and our conversations that seem all too fleeting now. SSEES will be a poorer, less vibrant place without you. We will never forget you. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Dr Dan Brett, UCL SSEES
I am completely and utterly heartbroken by Philippa's passing. I met Philippa when she started at SSEES as Lecturer in 2015, when I was still a humble postdoc. We became friends very quickly and - no exaggeration - the fact that Philippa was at SSEES was one of the main reasons that I wanted to come back to work at SSEES again following a brief hiatus at Queen Mary. I was absolutely devastated to find out about Philippa's illness, but continuously energised and inspired by her activist work, and by her total and utter refusal to abandon her extraordinary analytical capacities, and her sensational sense of humour (at once dark and light, sarcastic and earnest, and always rip-roaringly hilarious) no matter how intense her suffering became. Philippa's work on gender and sexuality in Russia (Tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet) will be read, admired and cited for years, decades and longer - both the work that has been published already and that which is yet to appear. SSEES will miss Philippa so so much, but her presence, her power and her laugh will continue to grace the corridors and classrooms of Taviton Street evermore.
Dr Michal Murawski, UCL SSEES
I was already retired when Philippa joined us, but I do have a vivid memory of an international study day she led on 'Russia's place in international law. Her own ideas were extremely interesting, and her direecting presence throughout was cheerful, considerate and friendly.
Prof Geoffrey Hosking, SSEES
I met Philippa for the first time when she joined SSEES. Her office was just a few doors from mine, on the “fourth floor”. When we crossed the corridor, she was always keen for a chat on an intellectual deep academic topic or stories about her life in Australia, the USA, or the UK. She was always friendly and super-collaborative. We will all profoundly miss her smile, proactive attitude, and wealth of knowledge.
Dr Randolph Bruno, UCL SSEES
I have been a mentor for Philippa. One of the functions I had while she was on probation and waiting for her documents to be sorted was to sign off her travels. That created an insight into the wonderfully global and multi-dimensional liefe that she had. She seems to be organising, co-organising and participating in some many events, conferences, fellowships, and initiative around the globe that I always thought she was unique. Not just to me, to the FRINGE Centre, but to everyone who has been lucky to have crossed path with Philippa. We will commemorate her in the third volume of the Encyclopaedia, where she should have been part of.
Prof Alena Ledeneva, UCL
She was an amazing woman. Charismatic, bright, and exceptional. She will be sorely sorely missed. The world has lost a future leader.
Hassan, UCL
My sincere condolences to family. Rest in peace beautiful and brave soul. Vjecnaja pamjat!
Vesna Milanovic, UCL
It's a great honor to have had Philippa to be my tutor and someone who welcomed me to UCL. She was such a strong human and excellent scholar, and she was dedicated to her job to the very end of her life. I wish I could have known her for longer.
Bo Zhang
I am very fortunate to have known Philippa. She was an inspiring, good-humoured colleague and a genuine friend, even though we only saw each other virtually after my arrival at SSEES in 2019. She encouraged me to apply for the position I now hold and I will be forever grateful to her for that. Her cheerfulness and uninterrupted work ethic in the face of adversity was nothing short of amazing. Just about a month ago she asked me if there had been a mistake since she hadn't been allocated any new personal tutees! She left us far too soon.
Dr Jakub Beneš, UCL SSEES
Philippa was a brilliant historian and wonderful colleague, she will be terribly, terribly missed by everyone in SSEES... we are simply heartbroken.
Dr Uilleam Blacker, UCL SSEES
Philippa was without doubt one of the most genuine and friendly colleagues I’ve ever had. Although we worked in different disciplines and on different periods, we often discussed our shared interests in gender and sexuality, and her intelligence and depth of knowledge always shone through. Her bravery in the face of her illness was inspiring. My deepest condolences to her family, her husband and her friends.
Professor Richard Mole, UCL SSEES
It was a pleasure to work with Philippa who was one of the friendliest and most enthusiastic colleagues I've known. Her passion for her subject was evident and her sense of humour and warmth will be sorely missed. Her ability to campaign for better treatment for others in the midst of her illness was inspirational. My sincere condolences to all her family and friends.
Lisa Walters, UCL SSEES
From the moment when Philippa joined us in September 2015, I was struck by her vitality, intelligence and good humour. She lost no time in making a profound impression on our academic community and will always be remembered for her positivity and strong spirit. I send my deepest sympathy to her family and close friends.
Professor Pamela Davidson, UCL SSEES
You left far too soon. I'm sorry we didn't get to know each other better, even though our offices at SSEES were next to one another. I've been thinking a lot about you, your family and your research. Your leaving is a big loss. Rest in peace, Philippa.
Dr Agnieszka Kubal, UCL SSEES
Philippa was my personal tutor in London two years ago, shortly before her illness. She gave me a lot of valuable suggestions on history study and life in London. I was heartbroken to know her passing away, and will remember her help and kindness forever. Also, my deepest condolences go with her family.
Ci Chen
I will always have fond memories of Philippa, her joy for her subject, her genuine helpfulness and being an all around superb lecturer and support for students. She will be sadly misssed for all she brought to SSEES and the students and for her wonderful efforts with helping with the HPE students.
Robert Bodden, UCL SSEES
I am sorry for the loss of Philippa. She will be fondly remembered.
Dr Yuemei Ji, UCL SSEES
Philippa was my second PhD supervisor. She was the kindest mentor I could ask for. I owe her a debt of gratitude for her insightful comments on my first chapters. More than that, Philippa made me feel welcome and included in the faculty from the the first day that I joined SSEES. After our first meeting she involved me into a conference organization, got me to work with a US-based foundation. Thanks to her I met scholars in the field from all over the world before I even wrote the first meaningful sentence of my thesis. In 2020/21 academic year Philippa taught History of the Soviet Union for undergraduate history students. I was fortunate enough to be a PGTA on that course. It was a privilege to teach with Philippa. She was so passionate about the students and really wanted them to get a true sense of what it was like to be a Soviet citizen. I will always remember her cheerful face when she walked to her her office. Her passion for her work was infectious and encouraging. She will be dearly missed.
Dr Julia Klimova
I remember Philippa as being vivacious, brilliant, and beautiful. Philippa had a gift for understanding people, in addition to being a stellar academic and wordsmith. To me, Philippa always spread a little joy, wherever she went. She will be forever remembered, and forever missed, by those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Ale - Condivido il tuo dolore. Ti sono vicina con il più vivo cordoglio. Philippa, vivace, brillante, e bellissima, vivrà per sempre nel mio cuore.
Amanda DiGioia, UCL SSEES
Like everyone who knew Philippa, I'm greatly saddened by her death. She was a great friend, and my neighbour on the fourth floor of the SSEES building. Philippa was most helpful in giving advice relating to my own health. Her cheerfulness in adversity was an inspiration. She was very hard-working and dedicated to her students. Her research presentations were interesting and she served the profession with her conference organization. I am so sorry that the development of her cancer wasn't caught in time. She showed so much bravery in the last period of her life and her campaign has benefited other cancer patients Sasha and I send our condolences to Alessandro and the rest of Philippa's family.
Dr Pete Duncan, UCL SSEES
❤️❤️R.I.P
Tonglin
To my great regret, I had fewer occasions for interaction with Philippa while at SSEES. But I learned so much about her personality during the time of her illness. She is a truly amazing person who made and could have made more so much difference to this world for it to be a better place for living. My deep condolences to Philippa's family.
Professor Julia Korosteleva, UCL SSEES
What an amazing lady who spearheaded the creation of a new innovative degree at UCL. Her passion and enthusiasm for History was inspiring and she will be so deeply missed. My thoughts are with Philippa’s family and friends.
Rohan Malhotra
Dr. Hetherington was deeply attentive to the humanity of others, both when considering the figures of the past and her own students in the present. Those Dr. Hetherington taught will remember her with the generosity she herself offered so freely.
Lucas Alonzo Gutierrez
Philippa was my personal tutor when I started my MA at SSEES. In our all too brief relationship she was warm, supportive and kind. I will always be sad that I didn't have the privilege of studying with her.
Arthur
You are an awesome teacher. Thank you for teaching us. Wish you rest in peace.
Marina
I am a UCL alumni, did an MA a few years back. Unfortunately, I did know have the pleasure to meet the late Dr Hetherington but reading her biography I can only say that we've lost a young, bright mind which sadness me greatly. My sincerest condolences to her family.
Goran Nišević
I am so very saddened to hear of the passing of Philippa. I was one of the HR administrators who assisted with Philippa's appointment to SSEES. She was and is a brilliant scholar - always cheerful and very humble. My prayers are with the family. May the Lord Jesus be with you during this difficult time.
Esther Williams