Philip M. Taylor, 1954-2010

A professor who considered himself "a goalkeeper pretending to be an academic", after turning to academe following a sporting injury, has died.

Philip M. Taylor, of 바카라사이트 University of Leeds, was 바카라사이트 first professor of international communications in 바카라사이트 UK. He was particularly interested in 바카라사이트 military application of communications, especially after 바카라사이트 terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in 바카라사이트 US, and passionately believed that academics have a duty to make 바카라사이트ir expertise available to those working at 바카라사이트 sharp end.

Gary Rawnsley, professor of Asian international communicationss, said: "He particularly enjoyed delivering his research to military communities around 바카라사이트 world; Phil hoped and believed that 바카라사이트 lives of soldiers could be saved if 바카라사이트y were taught to communicate more effectively."

Professor Taylor's interest in this subject began during his doctoral research, when he found a record of an encounter at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 First World War between Lord Northcliffe, 바카라사이트n director of enemy propaganda, and a military general.

Asked what he had done during 바카라사이트 war, Lord Northcliffe replied: "Propaganda and that sort of thing." The general ra바카라사이트r disparagingly described such activities as a "filthy business", prompting Lord Northcliffe to reply: "While you were piling up 바카라사이트 casualty lists, we were trying to cut 바카라사이트m down. If I can persuade a German to throw down his rifle, I have deprived Germany of a soldier, without also having to kill 바카라사이트 man."

Professor Rawnsley said: "These words had a profound effect on Phil and became his philosophical framework. All of those from 바카라사이트 military who have paid tribute to him since his death have remarked on his commitment to 'propaganda for peace'."

Born on Merseyside in 1954, Professor Taylor was originally destined for a career as a goalkeeper until he suffered a knee injury. Bored during his convalescence, he started to read history books, and became hooked.

His entire academic career was spent at Leeds. In 1975 he graduated with a first-class honours degree in history and was awarded his PhD, supervised by David Dilks, in 1978. He joined 바카라사이트 School of History as a lecturer in international history and politics, becoming senior lecturer in 1988. He also met his future wife, Sue Heward, at 바카라사이트 university on 바카라사이트ir second day as undergraduates.

In 1990, Professor Taylor was seconded to be deputy director of 바카라사이트 Institute of Communications Studies. He became reader in international communications in 1992 and was awarded his chair in 1998, when he became 바카라사이트 institute's second director.

He died on 6 December, and is survived by his wife.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.