College of Arts & Humanities news

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and friend Dr Johanna Green, Senior Lecturer in Information Studies, specialising in book history and digital humanities.

Tributes have been pouring in from colleagues, friends and students who described her as a “bright, rising star” who was “wonderful and warm” and “amazing friend and colleague”.

Johanna died on Thursday 20 July 2023 in The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow with her parents, Wynn and Dave by her side. Johanna would have celebrated her 40^th birthday on 21 July 2023.

Ann Gow, Professor of Information Studies, who was a friend and colleague of Johanna, said: “Johanna's presence within the academic community and her impact on the lives of her students and colleagues were nothing short of remarkable.

“Throughout her time at the University of Glasgow, Johanna demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her students' education and personal growth. She was a model of research-led teaching, skilfully utilising the vast collections within the University's Library Archives & Special Collections to inspire and engage her students.

“Her classes were characterised by innovation, as she fearlessly embraced technology to create immersive learning experiences. Johanna's expertise in digital scholarship and virtual reality led to the development of pioneering educational apps, opening new doors of understanding for her students in the realms of history, text, and technology.”

Ann added: “We, as a community, mourn the loss of an exceptional teacher, scholar, and friend. Johanna's legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched, and her contributions to our lives will continue to shape the future of all who knew her.”

Johanna was a student at the University of Glasgow, then worked in various jobs in both the University's College of Arts and the then School of Psychology. In 2016, she was appointed as a lecturer in Information Studies working closely with colleagues in the University Library’s Archives and Special Collections.

In 2018, Johanna was diagnosed and treated for stage four bowel cancer but continued to balance palliative treatment with her academic work. In 2020, she returned to teaching after surgery and extensive chemotherapy which colleagues said was “a testament to her unwavering passion for her students and her field of expertise”.

Since 2021 Johanna used her lived experience to contribute to Patient and Public Involvement as part of the Patient Advisory Group for Bowel Research UK, and more recently as a member of Bowel Cancer UK's 'Never Too Young' working group; she also worked as Patient Educator for the School of Medical Education at King's College London.

Unfortunately, her cancer returned, and she retired from the University of Glasgow in April 2023 although Johanna remained part of Information Studies at the University’s School of Humanities | Sgoil nan Daonnachdan.

Born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear on 21 July 1983, Johanna is survived by her parents, Wynn and Dave, her much loved cat Cora, and a wide circle of friends. Funeral details will be released at a later date.

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First published: 21 July 2023