Richard Payne was killed on 26 May 2019 while attempting to climb Peak 6477, a previously unclimbed subsidiary peak of one of India's highest mountains, Nanda Devi. 

Richard was a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Geography and had been with the University since 2015. He was a world-class scientist, an outstanding colleague and an inspirational mentor for students and young scientists.

Richard’s passing is a huge loss to the scientific community, especially in the areas of peatlands and climate change. He is greatly missed by staff and students.

Richard was passionate about field work and student opportunities. We would like to raise money to help us establish and fund the Richard Payne Fieldwork Bursary so that we can provide bursaries to our students to support field work related to a "Richard subject" which includes a wide range of topics associated with atmospheric pollution, natural hazards, climate change, soil carbon, plant biodiversity and bogs, mires and peats.

Please donate today to mark Richard's contribution to the broader scientific community as well as to the life of the Department of Environment and Geography at the University.