Tributes to Claudio Ciborra

To add your comment to these pages send an email to in_memory_of_claudio@lse.ac.uk

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Aarts, Jos - Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Claudio not only inspired IS people but also people working in health care IT. I well remember him giving his keynote lecture at the first International Conference on IT in Health Care, Sociotechnical Approaches in Rotterdam in 2001. At the time he was working on his book Labyrinths of Information and I liked his playing with pictures while talking about krisis, bricolage, gestell, etc. I was a bit disappointed when I did not find back the pictures in the book. I also liked very much his sense of culture and civilization.

Abdulaal, Ghassan - ADMIS 2000/01, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Plain shock and sadness. That is what I felt when I opened the IS homepage today. I just couldn't believe it. I always remember the Professor as this vibrant and absolutely delightful person to be with. You would see people flocking around him and asking him questions, like a celebrity that he truly was. The charisma, the flare, his serenity often inspired us, 'this is where we want to be'.

And yes, the Armani cap and glasses he used to wear. Armani couldn't have chosen a better model.

Professor Claudio Ciborra, very few have gained the admiration and respect that you have gained by your kindness and simplicity.

Abis, Mario - Italy

Caro Claudio, lunedi il ns ciao è stato in una bellissima rara giornata milanese di vento e di sole.E c'era, per come si è svolto il tutto, un pò di stile,un pò di ironia alla True Stories, tanta tenerezza,nessuna retorica...insomma sono sicuro che ti è piaciuto.

A questo pensavo e penso..:a quell'iinsieme di affettivitò,di humor e di intelligenza creativa che ti faceva unico e che rende innaturale e insopportabile l'idea che tu non ci sia più.

Abis, Matteo - Italy

I seldom had the opportunity to enjoy your cheerful company, but I constantly lived your free spirit and your bright, unconventional intelligence through the affection of 'our' dear ones.

Abu-Hassan, Basma H - ADMIS 1999/2000, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am most fortunate to have known a great Professor, supervisor and later on my friend and mentor for life. Our loss is so immense it is beyond description. LSE was the turning point in my life, an incomparable experience to which I owe the most considerable evolvement of my analytical skills. Professor Ciborra, in particular, was the light that guided me through a challenging, yet significantly constructive, educational path. He has taught me never to be mediocre in my arguments, to strongly argue for my viewpoints and to support them. I was most lucky to have him supervise my dissertation, although I was warned of how difficult, demanding and critical he was; how I would have to work a hundred-or-more percent to ensure a passing grade. I believe that in his own way he was simply trying to push his students towards their potential. After graduating from LSE, Professor Ciborra became my connection to the vibrant world of academia, for which I have a passion. He was my link to the most recent publications and research.

I was always mesmerised by Professor Ciborra's ideas and notions and the unique way in which he communicated them, be it the elegance and sophistication in his choice of terminology and expressions, or the clever allegories that he invented. His publications bedazzled me and I always made sure to read them twice, thrice and often more. He is the master of bricolage, tinkering, improvisation; he never underestimated the grassroots levels in this respect. His 'moody' paper was most interesting; I remember spending more than nine hours on it and thinking where from does Professor Ciborra get such inspiring ideas and metaphors! I could go on and on writing about all those special - as he used to describe them - and greatly inspiring publications.

I will always, and above all, remember Professor Ciborra's visit to Jordan and the light he shed on the Jordanian e-Government endeavour. On this visit, I took pride in introducing him to my family and my colleagues at work. It goes without saying that Professor Ciborra made a great impression. He promised to visit the Middle East again in spring time; thinking about it all pains me deeply.

Dear Professor, until now, I strongly feel your presence and always will. I am incredibly lucky to have known you. Thank you so much for everything. I will miss you a lot. May God bless your soul.

Abu Kuwaik, Leena - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

There is no doubt that Ciborra death is a great loss for both the LSE in particular and IS community in general. I feel that whatever I can write about him will not be enough for such an IS leader and amazing human being. I used to be one of his students at ADMIS. His lectures were such attractive lectures: he had his unique way in making you not only listen but enjoy and think closely about what you are listening to! He was one of those teachers who makes you really proud that you are one of their students.

It is hard to imagine that our IS department will no longer have him. He is one of the department's figures and we will all remember him always.

Adam, Alison - Information Systems Institute, University of Salford, UK

On behalf of my colleagues at the Information Systems Institute at Salford I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Claudio's family and colleagues. It is tragic to lose such a creative colleague as Claudio in the prime of his intellectual powers. He is a great loss to academic life in the UK and internationally.

Adeyemi, Ayoudele - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Special condolence to members of his family; he was a great man and a great scholar who did a lot for the IS community locally and globally. A cool gentle personality that will be greatly missed and a solid inspiration to all those who knew him.

May his sole rest in perfect peace. Amen.

Afonso, Ana Paula - ISCAP, Portugal

The last time I saw Professor Claudio Ciborra was last March, in Milan, and he spoke with such vivacity that he seemed full of health. He was a young man (what does 54 years old mean nowadays?), very positive and with lots of energy. I regret his death, it is, with no doubt, a great loss to the scientific community.

Agius, Mark - NeMIS 2001/02, Department of Media Studies, LSE

I was very fortunate to have Claudio as an instructor while I was at the LSE. The most remarkable thing about him was that, beyond his obvious passion and knowledge of the IS field, he had made the connection that life, everyday, needed to be celebrated. He loved to make connections between the past and the present; whether that be in art, music, food or sport, and showed us that there was life beyond the classroom and that these were the things that lasted: the true legacy. Claudio was one my great memories of life at LSE.

Ahmadi, Reem - ADMIS 2004/05, Department of Information Systems, LSE

My heartfelt condolences go out to Professor Ciborra's family, friends and colleagues. As a current ADMIS student, I did not have the pleasure of been taught how to 'think' nello stile di Ciborra, or given a pair of 'Armani glasses', yet I was wistful for the day I would see Prof. Ciborra in the department.

Hearing the news was a great shock, how could such a young, vibrant and inspirational soul leave so fast? Yet again, how do I explain my grief and sadness towards a person I had not actually met? Simple, it felt like his aura never left the department despite his physical absence. Reading his pieces and hearing the wonderful stories only made us want to meet him even more.

I will never be able to fully understand what greatness I missed out on. Professor Ciborra, through your work and charisma your memory lives on. May your soul rest in peace.

Al-Taitoon, Adel - Department of Information Systems, LSE

I am deeply shocked to know about the sad news of Claudio's death. We learned from him, and I remember the Interpretations of Information lectures, and his deconstruction of theories such as resource-based view, and many others. However, can the resource-based view offer something that helps us to have better understanding of Claudio as one of those resources for innovation in the information system field and beyond? Theories and ideas produced by an intellectual and visionary scholar like Claudio are indeed beyond death. We miss you Claudio.

Alexandratos, Spyros - ADMIS 2002/03, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am truly devastated by the loss of one of the most inspiring professors I have ever had. He will be greatly missed but he will continue to live in our hearts and his writings.

Andreeva, Nina - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

There is no doubt that Professor Ciborra was an overpowering mind and an amazing human being. The moment that has been imprinted in my memory is the day of our graduation in 2003, when he was standing on the stage and reading out names of every student while presenting our diplomas. After a half an hour of reading Greek, Russian, Nigerian etc. names, which was probably as difficult as explaining the theoretical underpinnings of information systems to the same people a year ago, Professor Ciborra was congratulated by Howard Davies on passing the task 'with distinction'. I think that this phrase describes the way he has dealt with the department and the students - 'with distinction' and this is precisely the way he will be remembered by us.

Andreu, Rafael - IESE Business School, Barcelona

Claudio was both inspiring and challenging. I had the opportunity of working with him and writing together. It was always a truly enjoyable experience - laughing, but rigorous; an open mind and a cheerful attitude. His work is both relevant and pioneering in many aspects. His absence comes as huge loss for our community, but at the same time it will challenge us to keep high standards in creativity, friendship and sense of humour. Thanks, Claudio, for your inspiration and deep human outlook.

Angell, Ian - Acting convenor, Department of Information Systems, LSE

It is hard to accept that Claudio is dead. He was such a towering intellect, a forceful personality, a giant presence in our department. However, coming into the office this morning and seeing his black-bordered photograph, smiling benignly on all who entered, brought home the dreadful finality. Claudio, colleague and friend, has gone, and we are left only with memories - so many memories.

One particular memory I shall always cherish concerns the time when he twisted my arm to do a double act with him at the Italian Cultural Institute in London - 'Think of it Ian: Nietzsche and Heidegger take on Information Systems'. An offer I couldn't refuse! He wanted each of us to do three five minutes pieces, interleaved. Needless to say he was to speak for Heidegger. Not wanting to let him down I spent days in careful tortuous preparation. Knowing how tricky balancing six separate pieces could be, I suggested a rehearsal. He replied 'let's be spontaneous!' And spontaneous he was, with an awesome performance, seamlessly linking my three sections with the points he set out to say - in total control of his, and my, material.

Claudio ran our department with the same enthusiastic confidence and certainty. He was marvellous leader, a true motivator - a brilliant tactician, and consummate strategist. Claudio inspired everybody in the group, staff and students, to give of their best. Without exception, we shall all miss him.

Goodbye Claudio - we shall never forget you.

Aparo, Andrea - Italy

... che peccato non avere avuto più tempo quando lo si è avuto, per raccontarsi e non solo storie di lavoro. Si è cresciuti insieme, lungo percorsi diversi, sotto lo sguardo attento di Umberto Colombo. Ci siamo incrociati tante volte in luoghi sempre diversi: Roma, Milano, Sophia Antipolis, Londra ed in tanti aeroporti. Sempre con un sorriso ed una promessa di rivederci. Peccato non avere più il tempo di farlo. Ci ritroveremo una volta, in aula, da qualche parte a raccontare altre storie. Senza tempo.

Asif, Zaheeruddin - Temple University, USA

On behalf of student community I would like express my deep sorrow and sense of loss over untimely demise of a shining beacon of our field.

Avgerinou, Sofia - Human Resources Division, LSE

I will never forget when the department announced that our new Convenor would be Claudio. And I will also never forget all the changes that he brought with him. His Italian sense in everything, his undoubtedly dynamic presence but also his sense of humour. It was great working with Claudio during those years. It was a learning experience indeed. Ciao boss, you will be incredibly missed.

Avgerou, Chrisanthi - Professor of Information Systems, LSE

Claudio had inspired many of us world wide (in Information Systems) with his innovative thinking about IT and organizations. We had watched him at conferences to defend surprisingly refreshing new ideas. We had witnessed his confrontations with established gurus of business schools - always dressed in impeccable Italian designer style for such performances. He joined the LSE Information Systems Group in 1998 as a visiting professor for a couple of years before he was appointed to a chair in 2000. The selection committee asked him if he was willing to take convenor's duties. He answered that he would like to be on the deck, not in the engine room.

He took the convenor's role from the beginning of his appointment and he steered firmly from the deck, though not out of touch with the engine room. He was an intellectually demanding leader. He expected the LSE team not only to do well in terms of conventional academic performance ratings, but to secure an international reputation of creative, uncompromising thinking. He broke several old conventions. His direct way of letting you know what he thought, and in particular what he didn't like, was a new and challenging way of communication that often made angry even his closest friends. He loved living in London and made the most of its multiple facets: the avant-garde East End, the Royal Opera, the salsa nightclub at the basement of the LSE. But he wove his life in a network of professional engagements and friends across Europe, hopping from London to Oslo, to Berlin, to Milan, to Barcelona to the USA with equal enthusiasm to give a key note speech or organize a new research agenda, to hear the Berlin Philharmonic, or to take part in swimming races.

Truly intellectual, daring, uncompromising, yet always playful in his work as well as his personal life. He leaves a huge influence in the shaping of a research stream on the social study of IT. He will be missed by friends all over the world.

Aziz, Ali - ADMIS 2001/02, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Professor Ciborra was an extraordinary individual; he was a legend in his own way. I had the pleasure of interacting with him during my ADMIS course. I still have fond memories of him from his lectures and seeing him in the gym, working out exhaustively. It is difficult to comprehend that this could happen to him.

I will always remember him and his family in my prayers.

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Badii, Atta - University of Reading, UK

I am deeply saddened to hear the news about Claudio. It was truly an inspiration for me any time I had the opportunity to hear Claudio talk about issues and challenges facing Information Systems Research. He was a remarkably visionary intellectual. I found him to be a warm and sincere mentor. I had been looking forward to hearing him speak in a forthcoming event.

He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family. Thank you LSE for providing opportunities for UK IS researchers to benefit from his inspiring views first hand.

Bagnara, Sebastiano - Università degli Studi di Siena, Italia

I met Claudio in the early eighties. I had heard of him as a brilliant intelligence. The conversation was short (he was preparing a Conference in Tuscany for trade unions and socially concerned researchers on designing computer systems with and for users), but enough to confirm the voices about his brightness. The meeting was the beginning of a friendship.

We did not see each other very frequently, but, once we met, we were as we had seen few days before only. A curious and rare experience. Maybe due to that I continuously came across and made reference to his works; maybe it depended on the mutual understanding grounded in common values; maybe both.

In last summer, Claudio came to Ivrea to deliver an invited lecture at the graduation ceremony at Interaction Design Institute Ivrea. The talk was simply marvellous. I asked Claudio for permission to publish it in a book I was preparing. The reply was positive. I felt a sense of intellectual pleasure.

A few weeks later, a common friend, the mythical Luisella, informed me that Claudio was ill. From then on, I had frequent conversations with Claudio. I was impressed by his energy: he continued to work even during heavy therapy. I visited him at the end of January: We talked about politics, philosophy, his disease, the side effects if the therapy, about common friends. A usual conversation with Claudio that was enriched by the calm presence of Anna Maria. This is Claudio I remember: sitting and brilliantly talking even if the disease manifested itself with its brutality.

Later, we kept in touch several times by email because some doubts emerged about the English translation of some Heidegger's concepts in editing his contribution. The last email was on 2nd February, where he announced to have 'found a better and definitive solution'. With such a message, Claudio confirmed until the last the impression I had of him when I firstly met: Claudio was fond of the research and looking for better solutions, both intellectual and social.

Baidoe-Ansah, Juliana - ADMIS 2001/02, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am deeply stunned at the news of Claudio's untimely death having not been to the LSE website for a long time. It was a pleasure to have met him. I remember going to his office several times when I was preparing for my dissertation. I wanted to write a paper on how IS can be viewed as stages in the development of a child. I was inspired by Claudio's paper IT and Hospitality so I kept going to his office to test my ideas and though he was not convinced with my argument he always welcomed me and challenged me to develop my points further. He was indeed a very brilliant person and it was great to have been tutored by him. His untimely death must be a great shock and loss to the IS department. May he rest in perfect peace.

Bailur, Savita - ADMIS 2001/02, Department of Information Systems, LSE

I will always remember you as one of our lecturers who could manage a whole lecture without any notes at all - what a talent and what a mind. You will always be respected and missed. May you rest in peace.

Bandini, Marco - former student, University of Bologna

Ho appreso quasi per caso della scomparsa del prof. Ciborra. Nel 1996 ho avuto il priviliegio di averlo come relatore per la mia tesi, fatta, grazie al suo aiuto, all'interno di FIAT AUTO SPA. Le sue lezioni all'università, alle 8 di mattina, erano una scoperta continua e il suo contributo alla mia crescita, anche professionale, è stato importantissimo.

Un grazie, di nuovo, anche se tardivo. Ci mancherete.

Bannon, Liam - Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, University of Limerick, Ireland

I first met Claudio almost 20 years ago and while our paths have crossed only intermittently since then, I have always enjoyed listening to him, reading his articles, and at times arguing with him. He was an original, controversial, and charming man. I particularly remember the stir he created in the audience with a critique of mainstream IS methods in his keynote talk at the ECIS'97 conference in Cork, Ireland. His attire for that occasion, as I recall, was also very striking, a black, collarless suit that made him look a bit like a Jesuit missionary! Certainly, he showed passion and zeal in his words and deeds, and enjoyed attacking conventional 'wisdom' in the information systems field. He brought colour, humour, and intellectual depth to the IS community. He will be sadly missed.

Baskerville, Richard - Chairman, CIS Department, Georgia State University

My most vivid recollection of Claudio was at a dinner some years ago. Much of Claudio's most recent research up to that point was centered on the unique IT management culture at Olivetti. Shortly before the particular event at which we were dining, Olivetti had collapsed and failed. Claudio was asked, more-or-less, about whether Olivetti's failure called into question Claudio's earlier research. 'What will you do?' was asked. Claudio's answer? 'Well, I've been lifting weights and swimming.' he said, 'Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, I am coming back.'

The emblem of Atlanta, a city burned in the American civil war, is the Phoenix rising from the ashes. I pass this huge symbol, erected over the central square, every day to and from work...

and I always think of Claudio.

Berg, Marc - Department of Social Medical Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam

It is with great shock that we heard about Claudio's death. He has been an inspiration to many of us who are trying to bridge the 'great divide' between the social sciences and the worlds of IT. Hard to classify, always innovative. We will miss him.

Bidault, Francis - Dean, Theseus MBA

Claudio Ciborra was one the founding Faculty of the Theseus Institute. He joined Theseus at the very beginning of the life of the institute in the early 90s and was instrumental in giving it its reputation as a school not just interested in management and technology, but also as a place dedicated to reflection on the social and human impacts of IT. Claudio participated a lot in the academic life of Theseus, in terms of teaching as well as in terms of research. He involved our insitute in several European projects and introduced it to his very large network of academics in the field of IT and MIS.

I personally first met Claudio in 1991. I still remember this vividly. I participated in a conference of the Strategic Management Society in San Francisco. Claudio was presenting his research and made a few jokes about being a scholar on the 'Cote d'Azur' before he went on to discuss his research! This was typical of Claudio. Then I got to know Claudio better when arrived at Theseus in 1995. I remember him as a person who was both quite serious when it came to his research and very joyful when it came to partying. A lot of us will remember him dancing on the groundfloor in Theseus in Sophia Antipolis!

Claudio kept its dual appointment at Theseus and the University of Bologna until 1996. Then he transferred to being a 'Visiting Faculty' in order to be able to take another dual appointment in Scandinavia and then in London (London School of Economics). We tried to get Claudio in the MBA program or in the MBA alumni 'refresher' as much as possible since we know that Claudio was very popular with the MBA participants and the alumni. But Claudio's schedule had become so busy that it became quite difficult to have him as a visitor.

We will all miss Claudio as a colleague and as friend.

Bishop, Tom - George Washington University, USA

I met Claudio Ciborra just once in my life in Palermo in 2002 and before that I had always thought of him as a very aloof person, as some academics can appear sometimes, because of his several important publications. I had thought his status could make him so.

I found instead a very nice person who spoke to me as only a very old friend could do. We talked about issues concerning science, university and people. We talked about life. We had never met before, but we talked as if we always did it. Although I was hoping to meet him again I never did. And the news of his death means we never will.
I will always think about him as in that evening in Palermo talking about industrial organization, politics, universities and human behavior. I will always think of him as a very special and unforgettable person

Good-bye Claudio.

Blair, Mary - Director of Development and Alumni Relations, LSE

I am overcome with sadness at the loss of this gracious, intelligent and witty man. I met him when I came to LSE in 2000 as an American here to help the fund raising office do its work. His friendship has meant a great deal to me, as I was in London without knowing many people here when I arrived.

On Feb 12 I went to Milan to visit him in hospital, knowing he was ill, but not how very ill he was. We could talk for a while until he tired so I sat for some 2 hours while he slept. He was very thin and the cancer alarmingly large. Carlo, his brother and family, included me in their discussions and took me to dinner. Friend Anna met me the next day for breakfast and took me to a special musical programme that night. On Saturday he required oxygen to breathe and it was hard to communicate anything beyond the fact that I was present for a while. On Sunday he was sedated and sleeping when I left and he died while I was on the plane on the way back to London. Maybe I was fortunate to get there 'in time' to tell him how loved he was. His picture here is so alive and direct. I like remembering him that way. He has an astounding number of friends from so many places around the world. There is little comfort in such a death, except that it makes us value each other all the more.

Boland, Dick - Case Western Reserve University, USA

Claudio had a most inventive way of pushing our field forward. He gave us new words, concepts, frameworks and empirical insights to understand the world and use in our research, and they have proved to be most productive. He reshaped our field with his evocative ideas of formative context, bricolage, strategy, and the Baroque, and did it with wonderful humor and a deep sense of irony. Scholars like Claudio are very rare, and when they die so young, it is an especially great loss. I miss him.

Bom, Giuseppe - Italy

Claudio has been my teacher in IT at Bologna's University (Italy). I don't want to say how good he was: everyone knows he was a great person and we will not forget him and what he did... I just want to wish him a great new life!

Best wishes Claudio!

Bonamigo, Alessandro - IULM University - Milan

I met Professor Ciborra only once, while he was a student at the IULM university in Milan, when I performed an examination regarding his work. He appeared to me as a bright and intelligent person, one of those who could make the name of Italian research and work shine in the world. I want to express my sadness and the feeling of missing someone special.

Braa, Kristin - Telenor Research & Development, and University of Oslo

With shock, sorrow and pain I heard that Claudio lost his last battle. Unbelievable. We have experienced so much together - from inspiring academic collaborative work to underground pubs, via Stromboli, Naples, skiing and never ending discussions about life. In addition to the loss of a great inspirator for the academic community, we are many that now have lost a dear, dear friend.

Claudio, I can't imagine how the life will be without you.

Brown, Katie - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Since learning of Claudio's illness last year through an email exchange with him, I have kept him in my daily prayers and thoughts. I was simply stunned to hear of his passing, as he had emanated such strength, integrity and courage even when faced with a dire situation.

I will remember him as a highly intellectual man, with a fabulous sense of humor and a passion for learning. Ciao for now, Claudio.

Brown, Paul David Anderson - Admis 2002/03, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am so sorry to hear of Claudio's death and want to offer my condolences first to his family but also to the whole faculty. I consider myself fortunate to be one of those who has had the experience of arriving in the IS department, the product of a technical education and locked into what Claudio labelled 'a peculiar way of understanding the world', only to be released (or hosted during a retreat?) from that stale world through the teaching of the department and Claudio's work on Krisis in particular. The post-ADMIS experience of living in a world where the phenomena of Care, Improvisation, Bricolage, moods, feelings, surprises and the 'ubiquitous muddling through' of life can be readmitted is a more authentic and enjoyable one. I am sure I am one of many who will (re)read Labyrinths with a feeling of gratitude and who will see a new dimension to Claudio's counsel to attend to the celebration of everyday life.

Byrne, Nick - Director, LSE Language Centre

Claudio was one of the few convenors I actually saw on both a professional and social basis. Sadly, the social side was an all too rare event. In fact we probably saw each other most 'in transit' outside Tower 1, with him en route to Heathrow, and me off to Gatwick... we didn't even manage to synchronise departure airports! Claudio was one of the most supportive Convenors when it came to helping international students and making full use of the Language Centre. His care and support were invaluable to me when I was re-shaping the services we now provide. His intellect and humour were a deadly combination whether it was at induction meeting or over a drink at a party. He always was top of my 'must-get-to-talk-to-him-more' list, but the plans to meet up for dinner, cross paths in some European capital or think of some joint project never happened...because there was always the possibility that they would 'once work pressures subsided'. Sadly, this list has now become 'what-I-wished-we-had-done' list. Claudio will leave a hard-core legacy of academic writing which will be inspirational to all those that read it. And to those who were lucky enough to be taught by him, his inspiration has already had tangible results.

C

Cadili, Sarah - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

I was greatly saddened to hear this tragic news. I studied at LSE in 2002/3 and Claudio truly was an inspiration to me; he did not teach, he opened up a new way of thinking. Even now I recall a great deal from the lectures he gave, such was the impact of his colourful and flamboyant delivery. I will certainly remember him and my thoughts go out to his friends and family.

Camposampiero , Anna - Milano, Italia

un pensiero affettuoso, con molta tristezza.

Camus, Jerome - Milan

In a world all too-often characterised by flimsy management education, Claudio's approach was one that gives his students robust mind-expansion.

Ci capiamo...

Canonico, Paolo - ADMIS 2000/01 Department of Information Systems, LSE

I met Claudio for the first time at LSE in 2000. I remember his constant encouragement and the care that he showed in teaching; always open as he was, in sharing ideas and research results. His mind-opening classes stood out for their brilliance and insightfulness, ranging across many disciplines, yet gifted with rigour and relevance. In all our subsequent meetings throughout the years, I felt lucky in receiving from him words of sympathy and support. In addition to his major intellectual legacy and research accomplishments, personally I will remember Claudio's innate ability to establish a climate of genuine relationships and mutual respect.

Cantoni, Franca - Department of Economic and Social Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy

The only law is the one that leads to freedom. Professor Ciborra, as did Jonathan Seagull, discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons why a gull's life is so short, and with these gone from his thought, he lived a fine life indeed.

Caristan, Muriel - Organization and Projects Director, Air France

Claudio, je suis triste que tu sois parti. Je ne t'ai jamais recroisé après cette année magique à Theseus (T2), mais tu avais vraiment été une 'révélation' pour moi. Je garde l'image de ce prof qui était arrivé le premier jour en 'costard' avec des palmes et un tuba jaune... Et qui a par la suite fait comprendre à la jeune femme si rationnelle, si normée, que j'étais combien la créativité, la souplesse, l'irrévérence, associées à l'intelligence et à l'ouverture d'esprit, sont fécondes.

Désolée si je ne prends pas la peine de traduire en anglais ce que je ressens, car je suis triste.

Cavallari, Maurizio - Università Cattolica, Milano

I always looked at Professor Ciborra as a master and a great model for all of us studying IS. We will miss your brilliance. Requiescant in Pax.

Chavez, Humberto Gumeta - ADMIS 2001/02, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am very saddened to hear the sad news of Professor Ciborra's passing away. I was greatly influenced by his thoughts regarding the study of Information Systems and he will always evoke very happy memories of the LSE. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Cheniti, Tarek - ADMIS 2000/01, Department of Information Systems, LSE

What a terrible loss for LSE and the academic world. I was Claudio's student in ADMIS. He was a Professor of the highest quality, with an unmatched capacity to argue and convince. And yet he was so humble and friendly...We have lost a great man, and we will all miss him. But his work and invaluable contributions to academia will live forever.

Chinyere-Ezeh, Obi - ADMIS 2001/02, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Intelligence, wit, warmth... A completely brilliant Man and Professor.

Ciborra, Carlo - Milan, Italy

A* Claudio,
Flying away....
In your last days I have been holding you as a kite high in the sky,
with your string attached to life,
but a colder wind has taken command , impairing my struggle to keep you alive.
Your brother Carlo

Concilio, Grazia - Politecnico di Bari, Italy

No news could be worse than this... The scientific world has lost a precious mind and human being.

Corbitt, Brian - School of Management, Shinawatra University, Thailand

I recall meeting Claudio on a number of occasions and had the great fortune to debate theory and its role in IS with him. I think one of his greatest delights was when he stood at the opening of ECIS 2003 in Naples in that open forum in the castle-fort by the seaside. He was as proud that night of being Italian as he was of being a giant in IS. I was so influenced by his work as was a special friend and colleague, Dr Mary Sandow-Quirk. Giants have always walked this earth of ours for millennia. Their history is never forgotten.

Cordella, Antonio - Department of Information Systems, LSE

Claudio has been my Maestro, the person who introduced me to the information system discipline, made me love it, and who supported the development of my intellectual knowledge while challenging the rigour and relevance of my work all the time. Being close to him it has sometimes been difficult to accept his critique. Yet we have always known that his comments were only mediated by his intellectual rigour and personal concern, and that's why we always looked up to him as a Maestro and not just a senior colleague.

As in his academic life, Claudio was very demanding in his friendships. But again this attitude was contributing to the making of the very deep and profound friendship that has linked us over the years. Thanks Claudio for all what you have given us along these years. Ciao…

Cornford, Tony - Department of Information Systems, LSE

Our restless heart: ...and so we ask, 'Who am I and what do I wish?'

For me Claudio is, in his own words, care and concern about people and things, but meshed into worrying nagging unsettling ideas - the not so smooth unfolding of the bitchy blurpy palazzo of emotion, a fitting site for the parliament of design (cool design I guess?) where God knows who gets elected.

As you told me, less is more (and more is less). I'll keep trying.

Creange, Jeremie - ADMIS 2004/05, Department of Information Systems, LSE

I have just learned the news from one of my former ADMIS comrades. It's sad news, and he will be missed by everyone. I still remember his 'Rambo' metaphor. I guess I would never have understood transaction costs if he hadn't used this metaphor. And when my computer crashes I remember his concept of the hospitality of IS and I smile. I never thanked him for the year he gave us and now I regret it.

Goodbye professor.

Cushman, Mike - Department of Information Systems, LSE

Claudio taught us many things; one was the importance of moods. He identified panic and boredom as the moods that were the enemies of learning, but he did not discuss panic much - I suspect because he had little, if any, personal experience of panic. He talked far more about boredom and it always seemed he saw boredom as the ultimate threat. He combated it by ceaseless intellectual enquiry; an energetic, but always subtle, engagement with music and art; and a restless enjoyment of all the good things of life - food, parties, sport and dancing.

To work with Claudio was to have the best dragged out of you always. To be in his company was to be filled with humour, curiosity and, not infrequently anger, but the humour and curiosity stayed and the anger passed. We, in IS at LSE, are left not only with his books and papers to read and reread like everyone else, but a working environment that is designed, from his imagination, to a quality not matched in any other university I've visited. Every morning we can walk into our offices and say 'Thank you, Claudio'.

D

d'Alessio, Luigi

Dear Claudio you have often been in this vulcanic land, perfect place for your vulcanic creativity, you appreciated the Neapolitan way of life, and you always had curiosity for differences in life. I thank you a lot for the wonderful moments we spent together throughout our existential trips.... I'll miss you a lot but I want to live with the longing of meeting you again, ciao Gino.

Dahlbom, Bo - The Viktoria Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

An Antenna in the South

We were having breakfast at an Internet project meeting with the Aalborg group in October 1996, when Claudio explained to me the importance of north-south collaboration: 'You know Bo, up here in the North you will never go anywhere if you just meet among yourselves. To really move forward, you need an antenna in the South.' And thus, while we were building the Viktoria Institute in Göteborg, Claudio and I made several trips to Naples to set up the 'Istituto Vittorio' there. We never quite managed that, but we had a lot of good times, good conversations, and we became friends for life. Claudio remained our antenna in the South even when he moved to London and he played an important role as we were moving forward. Up here in the North, we are sad and sorry now, and the world is suddenly much bleaker. How will we be able to make it without our Antenna in the South?

Dal Zotto, Cinzia - Jönköping International Business School, Sweden

Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to get to know Claudio very well. Certainly, he was the one who opened my eyes on Scandinavia and now I am in Sweden. I invited him for a conference at the University of Regensburg while I was there doing my Ph.D. He answered that he would have been very pleased to come and give a talk at my University. He also suggested me to book for him a cheap flight from the Milan Airport at Orio al Serio, as he argued it was in any case much easier for him to reach than Malpensa Airport. A few Professors and I took him to dinner after his presentation in Regensburg: he entertained us all evening long with his tales about arts and music. He explained us why he loved Claudio Abbado and preferred him to Riccardo Muti. Since then, every time that I hear about Abbado, I think of Claudio and the importance of putting love in all you do if you want to make a difference and reach uniqueness. Now, reading all the comments on Claudio by his friends, I understand why he was so demanding: you are always demanding when you give and love. And it is also clear why everybody misses him so much.

Das, Ritanjan - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

This is a huge shock. Claudio changed my (as well as many others') vision about information systems. His fascinating lecture about the Armani spectacles still guides me in the labyrinth of the IS world.

I recall having bumped into Claudio one day in the gym, where he was patiently waiting for me to finish my work-out to start using the machine. Having spotted him, I asked - 'when are you going to start your lectures this term?' His reply was - 'tomorrow, that's why I'm here today...working out!!!'

And that is how I will always remember Claudio Ciborra. May God rest his soul in peace.

Davies, Howard - Director, LSE

Claudio was one of the most welcoming people in the School. We met by chance at the Opera soon after my arrival, which clearly caused him to think I might be human! I will miss him greatly, as will we all.

De Marco, Marco - Catholic University of Milan, Italy

Regrettably, I did not have the good fortune to encounter Claudio until relatively late in life when his reputation was well established. Our first meeting, which took place at the ECIS meeting in Aix-en-Provence, was a milestone in my academic career. It seemed to me that Claudio's approach to the subject of IS opened up a path that I had been searching for, for years. Generous to a fault, Claudio staked his whole reputation and deployed all his influence in an unremitting endeavour to encourage the Italian research community to venture out into the international academic world.

Visiting Claudio in the course of his illness, I was struck by his indomitable vitality: alert to detail, prompt to grasp the essence of things, he remained remarkably creative right to the end. Claudio had the enviable ability to juggle multiple research interests at the same time, though always giving his various colleagues the impression that his attention was devoted exclusively to them. Irrepressible as he was, Claudio's mind was forever lighting on interests outside our academic field, often of the most unexpected nature: architecture, cooking, sport but, above all, art. One day after he had become quite ill I called him to see whether he would like me to visit: 'Certainly,' came the reply 'but don't come round until you've seen the Seven Heavenly Palaces of Anselm Kiefer exhibition.' After following these instructions, I went to see Claudio and found myself embroiled in an absorbing discussion with a man who, though confined to his sickbed, gave every impression of knowing much more about the exhibition than his interlocutor. Claudio's academic and cultural contribution is something that those who shared his interests and relied on his support cannot but carry on into the future. His immense human warmth, too, will surely remain with those of us who had the privilege of enjoying his friendship and love.

De Michelis, Giorgio - DISCo, University of Milano

Claudio was a friend, a colleague and a continuous source of new hints and ideas. It is difficult to think that I will not have any more the occasion to discuss and to joke with him.

Every one who had the occasion to read his writings, to listen his talks, to interact/discuss with him in public or in private will miss his brilliant intelligence and his charming presence. His legacy is so rich that we will continue for many years in the future to discuss the many concepts he has brought to our attention: bricolage, care, gestell for understanding the interplay between information systems and organizations.

In Italy this is also a moral debt we must pay him, since Italian universities were unable to recognize his outstanding merits and to support his research and didn't act so that his studies had followers and developers. We must fill this gap not only for his memory but also, and mainly for the new generations of researchers who still need his mastership.

Del Lungo, Silvano - Italy

Io incontrai Cludio,da giovanissimo, forse nel 1971 o '72. Io ero allora un consulente quarantenne esperto di orgnanizzazione del lavoro; Claudio, forse era appena laureato ed era sempre presente negli incontri sull'organizzazione del lavoro, a quel tempo frequenti in Italia.Fu infatti quello il periodo più aspro dei conflitti sindacali sull'Odl.
Dopo quegli anni, Claudio, non l'ho più incontrato.

Quel che ricordo di lui: era un giovane alto, deinoccolato, attento, interveniva spesso per sapere e per rielaborare, riproporre, avanzare domande e provocanti ipotesi. Quel che colpiva era soprattutto l'originalità e la libertà del suo pensiero.

Desta, Amare - Information Systems Group, LSE

It is really sad to learn about Claudio's death and would like to express my heart felt sorrow to his family and his friends. Undoubtedly, he is a great loss to LSE and to the IS community.

Let him rest in peace.

Drumm, Hans Jürgen - Institut fuer Betriebswirtschaftslehre, Universitaet Regensburg, Germany

What a loss for the scientific community! All who have known him, have been fascinated by his personality!

Durkee, Edward

I was a student of Claudio's at Theseus in the early 90s. He was, and continued to be for me, a beacon of laughter and the absurd within the heartless land of IT. His demands upon his students to understand the social and human dimensions of the technological changes that were occurring around us was instrumental to our greater understanding of each other and the impact that we could have in the world. The world is a darker place with his loss.

E

Earl, Michael - Dean Templeton College, Oxford University, UK

I first met Claudio at a conference in the mid-1970s and immediately took to his enthusiasm. We both had interests in systems development then. Claudio always impressed me with his desire both to contribute to knowledge and to learn.
His investments in big themes - perhaps transaction cost economics with Williamson par excellence - are testaments to this. But I guess overall Claudio brought and stressed a European dimension to information systems. Perhaps his 'theory' about bricolage captures this best - challenging yet grounded, memorable yet deep - and comforting in many ways.

I, with many others, will miss him.

Elaluf-Calderwood, Silvia - Department of Information Systems, LSE

This is a very sad event. As a former student of Professor Ciborra he left a big impression on me. I think all his students, colleagues and people that knew him will always keep a live and intense memory of his intelligence, humour and interest in finding uses for the knowledge he had from his research and as a human being.

Emery, Sarah - Information Systems Group, LSE

I am devastated to hear that Claudio has left us. Claudio hired me as Departmental Manager in early 2002 and was totally supportive throughout our years together. He was a unique person, kind and very thoughtful in his own special way. He gave the administrative staff a chance to attend conferences around Europe which were great fun, and he had a very special style and way. Claudio was particularly supportive when I became pregnant and stayed in touch once April was born, sending such touching and thoughtful emails. I can't believe I will not see him again. I will miss you Claudio.

Emmott, Stephen - Head of Web Services, LSE

I only knew Claudio through a handful of work-related meetings and emails here at LSE. I can't say why, but he would often come to mind for no apparent reason: such was his influence; the impression he left. As we race through life, we encounter people who, even through the briefest of exchanges, enrich and improve us. Claudio was one of those special people. I am shocked and upset at the news of his death and hold his memory gently in my thoughts. Warmth and compassion for his kith and kin at this difficult time.

Errico, Mariano and family - Naples

Thank you Claudio for continuously pursuing the truth in your job, as in your life, without compromises.

You represent a model for IT and other field researchers.

Your contribution to IT was great because it was conjugated with Social Science and focused on Social life.

F

Fantina, Armando - Italy

Your brother, Carlo, was my boss for a long time. Although I did not know you personally this message is to remember you, because I feel I know you well through Carlo's descriptions of you. Our memories of you will not end.

Farbey, Barbara - London

I did not know Claudio very well but we would bump into each other from time to time, at conferences, in the Department and indeed at the Royal Opera House.
I followed his work and writing, as didn't we all, always finding new understandings which sprang both from a broad sympathy for people as they went about their work and a refreshing optimism rooted in that sympathy. Oddly, I remember best a smiling Claudio at a WG8.2 meeting, gallantly presenting Shoshana Zuboff with a extra large bunch of red roses. A happy occasion. One to remember.

Losing a member of a close community is always hard and losing Claudio so early is a great loss to everyone. He will be much missed.

Farmakis, Kyriakos - ADMIS 2002/03, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Our memories from him are still alive and will always be, starting from his classic Italian accent to his passion and devotion trying to explain difficult constructs and theories (it was the first time I heard about improvisation in IS). I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to be one of his students. We will all miss him.

Fontana, Eduardo Ribas - ADMIS 2002/03, Information Systems Group, LSE

The role of a scientist is to lead society into innovations, new findings and discoveries. Professor Ciborra was much ahead of his simple role as a scientist. He lead all of us, at LSE and outside the school boundaries, to discover new ways of thinking and to see the life. A brilliant mind is easily found in any one of his works or his research. An amazing professor of whom it is hard to forget, because of his amazing capacity to turn simple the most difficult themes and explanations. But mainly, an unforgettable person in his simplicity and empathy with everybody surrounding him. All of us for sure will miss him a lot, but always we will still have the best memories to remember him by.

Fontana, Michela - Milano,Ginevra

Caro Cibi, sarai sempre nel mio cuore, prezioso amico di tanti anni.
Potrei dire ciò che tutti sanno ovvero che eri intelligente, colto, lucido, brillante, spiritoso, ironico, gioioso, non convenzionale, di spirito libero, disinteressato, generoso nell'amicizia, curioso del mondo, infantile, provocatorio. Ma in realtà non si trovano parole adatte per piangere la tua perdita. Ricordo quando prendevamo il sole su una microscopica isoletta greca vicino a Symi , sul patio assolato di una chiesetta bianca e tu riuscivi- non mi capacitavo come - a scrivere allo stesso tempo, con facilità e naturalezza, un articolo di lavoro sopra un foglio di carta. Grazie per l'affetto e la compagnia durante tante indimenticabili vacanze e viaggi e naturalmente a Milano. Un abbraccio forte anche da parte di Valentino.

Forti, Dario - Skolé srl, Italy

I met Claudio on the early eighties, when we were joined in a consulting team for IBM Italy. Later, we occasionally cooperated in organisational development projects, especially in Unilever Italy; more frequently, I listened to Claudio's brilliant conference lectures and studied his books. His death hurt me deeply. No news about him during the last years; just his name in a 'necrologio' on Repubblica. Ciao Claudio.

Frassineti, Isella - Firenze, Italia

Ciao Claudio, cosa aggiungere? sei stato speciale. Ricordo con grande piacere le nostre vacanze sulle isole greche: che quartetto eterogeneo e diverso! Mi mancherai. Un bacio.

Fukao, Tsuyoshi - Department of Information Systems, LSE

Let me say something to him here. 'Claudio, you are always cool, dynamic and thoughtful. You gave us a lot of courage, help and sense of humour. I still cannot imagine the ADMIS without you... Thank you very much and rest in peace.'

G

Gable, Guy G - Faculty of Information Technology, Queensland University of Technology

I am much saddened to hear of Claudio Ciborra's passing. I didn't know Claudio well, having only met him several times at conferences and various Ed Board meetings, but was immediately impressed with his insight and presence. I became aware of his condition when he agreed late 2003 to examine the thesis of my PhD student Helmut Klaus, and though the news of Claudio's condition was increasingly ominous, he insisted on completing the review. Rightly or not, I felt I had been allowed a peek at his life; learning of his condition near the end; when he queried possible conversion of the honorarium 'into a case or two of Oz wine to be shipped to the UK'; and through our late email exchange regarding a possible visit to Brisbane ... 'a sabbatical and one or two months escape to a beachy surrounding could be an idea. Send me some tourist attraction URLs of the Coast, taking into account that I am a swimmer.' He will be dearly missed. I feel most for those closest.

Gagliardi, Pasquale - Secretary General, Giorgio Cini Foundation, Venice

Claudio, you will stay with us longer, because your creative thinking will continue to affect our minds, and we'll treasure the memory of your style in searching, playing, talking, teaching, living.

Galliers, Bob - Bentley College, USA

I'm not sure whether Tennyson was to Claudio's liking - for him perhaps, a more classical reference would be appropriate - but I've always liked the following, and I hope Claudio would too:

This is the truth the poet sings.
That a sorrow's crown of sorrow is remembering happier things.

Locksley Hall, 1, 75

Claudio was always questioning 'truths'. A renaissance man ... multidimensional, cultured, discriminating, critical and reflexive. His writings are alive and will remain so - for us to treasure; for us to question his truths - for ourselves. He would like that.

Gatti, Stefano - Italian Ministry for Innovation and Technologies

On behalf of Minister Stanca and the staff of the Technical Unit 'e-Government for Development' of the Government of Italy, I would like to express our most sincere regret for the loss of one of Italy's finest academicians. His contribution to the field of Information Systems and e-Government for Development in particular has been fundamental and inspired many. May he keep on living through his many friends, brilliant ideas and valuable work.

Gautschi, David - Trenton, Maine

I remember well meeting Claudio at Theseus Institute in the late 80s and early 90s. He had a remarkable ability to think broadly combined with a bright and kind disposition. No wonder he was such an inspiration to his students and to his colleagues. I am saddened to hear of his passing.

Georgiou, Ioannis - ADMIS 1998/99, Department of Information Systems, LSE

A Great Lecturer who inspired his audience and readers of his work. It is always sad when visionaries and innovators depart early.

Germani, Antonio - BASF, Germany

I was in my first swimming race, with Claudio on the lane by me, and I was wondering to myself how strange he was. So I was intrigued that, from that moment I started a lasting swimming friendship but that professional life diluted. Anyway I will not forget him and his brilliant comments and ideas. Your swimming companion Ciao.

Giachetti, Lisa - on behalf of all Claudio's old and new teammates at the Milano Linat pool

Claudio is our swimming pal and friend, a friend during those tough workouts, a laugh during our fun nights out, part of the team in our swim meet transfers. We remember him as being a great guy with a great sense of humour. Claudio had a marked sense of style and at the same time was very discreet about his success and private life so that few people knew he was a professor of international fame in our pool environment. He is and will remain 'Il Grande Cyborg' - 'The Great Cyborg'!

Cyborg we will miss you and we will always remember you dearly.

Giakoumettou, Joanna - ADMIS 2002/03, Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio has been a true inspiration. He changed the way I though and approached the world. In his words he gave me an 'Armani' pair of glasses. He will be missed...

Giddens, Tony - Former director, LSE

Claudio was a major figure in the LSE, whose contributions stretched well beyond his own Department. I was extremely pleased when he was appointed, and his contributions more than lived up to expectations. He was not only an outstanding scholar, but a warm-hearted and inspiring colleague. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, both within the School and in the larger academic community.

Giglio, Marita - Italy

I remember a tall, lanky young lad, in Malta on a student study holiday in 1973, his face slightly reddened by sun and a long tuft of hair shadowing his cheerful eyes. I remember an irresistible fund of humor and sympathy, I remember tales about the old housekeeper Adele that would make us laugh to tears, I remember him in a bunch of young hopefuls, kidding all the time but also committed and he was certainly the most promising one. I did feel a grip of sorrow when I read an obituary with his name on a national newspaper; I couldn't believe...perhaps a homonym? No, alas! It was you dear Claudio and a flood of memories runs before my eyes and a painful regret for having lost contact with you.

'Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'

Giustiniano, Luca - L'Aquila University, Italy

... every time that I had the chance to talk to Claudio was like floating in a huge sea of culture and knowledge... a real open-minded mind opener... we'll all miss him!

Gosling, Rosie - Director of External Study, LSE

Claudio was an inspiration to us all at the LSE. Reading the tributes to him on these pages makes me understand so clearly how his early death will and has affected so many. His friends and colleagues in 'his' department; his huge international network of academics and friends; his opera friends; his drinking friends; and those like me who used to have long sessions discussing everything from sociology to good food and drink. Thank you for these friendships and for the times we drank and spoke together. Thank you for the good times.

Goulnik, Yves - Sigale, France

To me, Claudio embodies the very idea of Theseus: creative, subversive, stimulating. A flamboyant intellectual, he remained a constant source of inspiration over the past fifteen years, where I was lucky enough to regularly bump into him. His unfinished teaching goes on, with moods and emotions, always in great style.

Graiff, Antonella - L'Istituto Trentino di Cultura, Italia

Un pensiero riconoscente a Claudio, grande talento, studioso raffinato e rigoroso, uomo eclettico e innovatore.

Grant, Gerald - Carleton University, Canada

Although I only met Claudio briefly I have been inspired by his work. I am sure his presence in the LSE family will be sorely missed.

Greenbaum, Joan - City University of New York

Claudio revolves in my mind as a whirl of energy. He was always in motion--dancing, swimming, thinking, talking. Claudio made new ideas and new projects fun; not just the academic challenge, but the intellectual pursuit of the truly curious. Thank goodness he was with us all for the time we had.

Griffiths, Catherine - Imperial College, London

Claudio was not daunted by problems, whether academic or personal, he brought an originality and inventiveness to their solution. He broke with formula and tradition, but the reward was inspiration and insight. I will always remember seeing many facets of his unique personality when accompanying him to the El Greco exhibition in London. As always, he was the expert and it was a great pleasure to be the student. His life has been cut short brutally and unfairly, but his influence will be long felt and he will be greatly missed.

Gupta, Sundeep - ADMIS 2004/05 Department of Information Systems, LSE

Time has taken away a dynamic thinker and dynamic speaker, one who pushed the boundaries of thought, whilst explaining his thoughts extraordinarily well. Thank you for sharing.

H

Hamlin, Nigel - Theseus MBA (T4 1992/93)

Although it is now almost 12 years since I was at Theseus Institute in France, where Claudio was one of the founding faculty members, the time we all spent working with him was so memorable that I am sure all our recollections are just as immediate as they are for those who have known him more recently. Claudio was one of life's truly original thinkers and was eminently capable of communicating his thoughts - something which is all too rare in management circles, never mind in the arena of management education.

I shall be the poorer for no longer having the possibility of meeting Claudio again - we never did seem to manage to be back at Theseus at the same time, somehow - but I am sure that, wherever Claudio may be now, he will be earnestly thinking of ways to reorganise things and make it a better place!

Hanseth, Ole - Department of Informatics, University of Oslo

I remember I saw Claudio for the first time around 1980. He stayed at the University of Oslo for a period doing research in Norway at the time I was a student. In 1996 Claudio visited Scandinavia for a period again - this time in Gothenburg. We met and soon discovered our shared interests and attitudes regarding research. Since then we have collaborated closely and developed a deep friendship. He became a close friend of the whole family and the children loved 'uncle' Claudio.

Claudio was appointed Visiting Professor in Oslo. He visited us for several weeks every term. He has been an fantastic stimulation for the whole IS group. He invited me to become visiting professor and spend a year at LSE, which I enjoyed enormously - for many reasons. For me personally both his friendship and collaboration have been extremely enjoyable, stimulating, and rewarding. We both enjoyed the mix of contrasts and harmony between our Italian and Norwegian styles and characters and between Italian and Norwegian landscape, culture, politics, and history. For me the most memorable moment illustrating this was when Claudio took me to Ferrara to listen to the Oslo Philharmonic.

Claudio was widely known to be very honest - which often meant critical - when commenting on others' work. In our collaboration he was the exact opposite; when we were writing together he NEVER criticized what I had written - even though he very often had the best reasons for doing so. He was extremely polite and careful and gave only positive comments. He even asked if it was OK that he corrected some of my mis-spellings (and they were numerous!).

Thank You, Claudio! I'm extremely grateful for your stimulating collaboration and caring friendship. I miss you enormously. As you always ended our conversations: 'Ha det bra!'

Haq, Mian Farooq - Department of Information Systems, LSE

With thanks to a great scholar and teacher.

There are very few in this world with the qualities that Claudio possessed, he was definitely a 'chosen one'. I had minimal interaction with Claudio, but like many other people my work and life were affected by his personality and work. I feel privileged that most of the time I spent at LSE was with Claudio here and in charge. I remember him sitting in the departmental seminars with his eyes closed and I always thought he was having a little snooze but then he would surprise me by engaging in a very lively debate with the speaker which was both critical and humorous at the same time. A man of great intellect, I can just see Claudio debating the ontology and epistemology of this world with God and the angels, and intriguing them with his concepts of improvisation and bricolage. Though we will always have his work with us, I wish I had known him better, and learned more when he was here with us. May his soul rest in peace.

Hättich, Robin - SAP, Walldorf, Germany

I am very sorry to hear about the death of Professor Claudio Ciborra. During my studies at the LSE, I was given the chance to attend his lectures and to work with members of his department. The IS community will miss Claudio Ciborra. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Hirnle, Christoph - ADMIS 2001/02, Department of Information Systems, LSE

Studying for a Master's degree at the IS department, I came into closer contact to Claudio (to a German, Professor Ciborra, of course!) on a course on philosophical interpretations of information. Soon, Claudio had fascinated me with fresh thinking and extraordinary intellectual capabilities. At the same time, he encouraged everybody to contribute to the discussion - although most of us then only just grasped the concepts he explained and challenged.

So, it is not only the research and student community which will miss Claudio - surely, his open-mindedness, creativity and style will be deeply missed by anybody who has had the pleasure of meeting him.

Hirschheim, Rudy - Louisiana State University

It was a great shock to hear of Claudio's death. We in the IS community lost a dear friend and colleague in Claudio. I first met Claudio in Pisa at a Crest workship in 1979. He was hanging out with Pelle Ehn, Ulrich Briefs, and others who were pushing for a Marxist orientation toward systems development. I found their view very different and challenging from the one typically held in North America. In speaking with Claudio, I was impressed by his insight, his candor and his desire to challenge the commonly held beliefs. He was not afraid to take a contrarian position then, nor throughout his career. In fact, that was one of Claudio's supreme strengths - never to take anything for granted, but to look beneath the covers so to speak to uncover the underlying meaning. He was always way ahead of the rest of the community in terms of new ideas; ideas that he thought were or would be important once the rest of the field caught up with him. The only trouble is by the time we did catch up with Claudio, he was on to the next challenging idea. Whether it was transaction cost economics, his notion of 'bricolage', or whatever, he was always 'out in front'. And it wasn't confined to academic thought. He was the first to introduce the IS field to everything from smart Italian dressing to short hair. He was one of the first to spend his time as a visiting scholar on just about every corner of the globe. I always felt that Claudio could never settle down at any one geographic place for fear he would become stale. Perhaps, he was the academic that all of us aspire to be: smart, resourceful, worldly, creative and innovative. We as a field will miss him; I as a friend will sorely miss him.

Hofstede, Gert Jan - Wageningen University, Netherlands

For me as an occasional visitor to IS conferences and to LSE it is a great shock to hear that Claudio Ciborra has passed away. He was an original person, one who commanded respect through his thinking, and who made the IS field a credible intellectual enterprise. This is a great loss.

Howard, Robert and Leslie Schneider - Newton, Massachusetts

Claudio was a dear friend of our family. Leslie was a colleague of Claudio's in Norway in the early 1980s and a frequent collaborator with him. Bob taught occasionally in Claudio's program at the Theseus Institute and also worked with him on a few projects. But we will remember Claudio mainly for the many vacations we took with him over nearly 20 years: on Cape Cod and on Mount Desert in Maine; at Sea Ranch in California; in the Dolomites, Tuscany, Naples, Sicily, and, of course, his beloved Stromboli, which held a special place in his heart. He knew our children from their birth; they called him 'Zio Claudio'. At times, Claudio could be stubborn, willful, and difficult. But he knew how to have fun. He had a remarkable (indeed, enviable) sense of freedom. And he shared his passions with extraordinary generosity. At this very sad time, we remember the lines of Montale: 'Cerca una maglia rotta nelle rete/ che ci stringe, tu balza fuori, fuggi!' ('Look for a flaw in the net that binds us/ tight, burst through, break free!')

Huq, Anzela - School of Management, Royal Holloway University of London

Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet the late Professor Ciborra. I have, though, read much of his published work and have been inspired by his stimulating contributions to the field of IS. I hope, that as the future of the field, we may uphold the standard to which he worked and continue to be as challenging and brave as he was. Sincerest and deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Hutter, Bridget and Mike Power - Co-directors, Centre for Analysis of Risk & Regulation, LSE

Claudio joined CARR in 2001 as PricewaterhouseCoopers chair in risk management, a position he held until June 2004. Within CARR he introduced glamour and high opera in addition to intellectual insight and fresh, multidiscipline approaches to risk and information systems.

He led us into his academic 'labyrinths' and at a personal level we never knew what to expect next - cakes fresh in from Naples, photos from Sardinia, or a tour of his 'palazzo'. His knowledge and interests were informed by the renaissance and modern - philosophy (a sustained interest in Heidegger), by music, night clubs, 'punk design' among other things. In an exchange last month about Stromboli he declared yet another interest, signing off 'Love from your volcanologist and risk expert'. Sadly, what he referred to as his own personal 'system disaster management' didn't avert the disaster, but he leaves CARR a legacy of work on risk, philosophy, organizations and information on which others may build. One his last publications was a CARR discussion paper and we enjoyed frequent exchanges until shortly before his death about his next book. Sadly that will not be completed but he leaves behind ideas which will remain important references point in risk regulation studies for the future. His colleagues at CARR will miss him greatly.

I

Iannacci, Federico - Department of Information Systems, LSE

Claudio was an artist as well as an immensely-talented intellectual. I will sorely miss his creativity.

Idudu, Mini - ADMIS 2003/04 Department of Information Systems, LSE

This is indeed a great loss to the department, staff and students and the IS community at large. I was privileged to have attended Cibbora's lectures and will , like most of my peers, never forget his Armani designer glasses. Claudio Cibbora was truly inspirational. His originality and his unconventional view of life was a breath of fresh air to the IS community. His books will continue to inspire generations of IS students.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. May Claudio's soul rest in perfect peace.

Iivari, Juhani - University of Oulu, Finland

Claudio attended a number times the KISS seminar in the northernmost corner of Finnish Lapland. Almost like a typical Finn, he enjoyed the silent solitude of skiing on the rolling mountains around Kilpisjarvi, sauna after skiing, swimming in the ice hole, posing after it, and so on. He was just more extreme than the locals. I always enjoyed his attitude to be against everything, his smart comments, and envied his intelligence and his capability to express his criticism in an irresistible charming Italian (?) way. They were culminations of all the meetings and conferences where I met him. It is pity that the best are taken away first.

Ilharco, Fernando - Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon

I am deeply sad with this shocking news. On behalf of Portuguese colleagues of mine, students of my campus and myself, I express our deepest sorrow over this untimely loss. Claudio was unique and one of those people we can say that changed our field of research and others as well. I met Claudio back in 1998, at the LSE; he was then visiting professor and I was PhD student. With him I shared the passion for phenomenological approaches to ICT. Today, I remember his superior talent, originality, dedication, friendship, and the novel and challenging ways in which he contributed to our field of research. We all owe him a lot. These are very sad days. May his soul rest in peace.

Imperlino, Fabrizio - Pirelli, Milano, Italia

I had the opportunity to meet Claudio, when we were both students at Polytechnic of Milan, and to share with him scientific training, political involvement, culture discovering, insights setting. We were seized by the same passions (he might look cold as person but humanly he was so warm) and by the same themes and theoretical problems. So we became mates (I used to call him 'Cyborra' especially after his research over industrial robots) and we matched different ideas and points of views, sometime very successfully sometime not at all. As a result of that exploring activity and work we understood that in Information Systems the technologies play the role of medium platform; so that other fields were involved and converged in the implementation process: typically the content, the rules and the economics of human organizations and communication. The major experience of that period was the magazine Uomini & Computer. I remember the continuing balance, in the team of Gasbarri, between the enthusiasm for the potentialities of 'new' (at that time) technologies in ICT and the 'pessimism of the reason' for the social problems produced by the changes (in work organization, in education and so on). I think that he never lost the spirit of that period and went on along the years living the contradictions always in the core, facing the conflicts and accepting the challenge to improve the compatibility of technology toward human beings and communities. This program, as all we know, is not yet accomplished, so we will miss him a lot.

Introna, Lucas - Lancaster University Management School

It was with a great sense of loss and sadness that I heard of the death of Claudio. I could write at length about his work and what I admired in it, as I am sure many could. However, what I will miss most is a generous friend who was even more excited about phenomenology and Heidegger than me. Our conversations about 'the big man' were always a delight. We have indeed lost a great scholar, teacher, innovator, and most of all a friend. Claudio's parting leaves a great big gap in our community that nobody can possibly fill.

As a Heideggerian Claudio knew that it is the possibility of death that gives life its vitality. An authentic life is one lived 'toward-death', not hiding from it or concealing it but embracing it as an ever possible possibility. I also wish to celebrate the authenticity of Claudio's life - a life lived in the fullness of every single moment.
May we continue to be inspired by him!

Ivanov, Kristo - Department of Informatics, Umea University

Having had the honour of hosting Claudio and of co-authoring a paper with him I can only confirm the contents of the 'In Memory' text. Having grown up in Italy I will also add my experience of being able to share with him his love for Italy and its continental culture, in particular for its mountains which may well represent his love for and commitment to summits of controversial intellectual challenge. As it has been done for a few others that I admire, I wish to suggest that some of his latest and closest institutional colleagues complete their In Memory with the publishing of a bibliography of his works and a summary of the core of his ideas, seen as a contribution to his intellectual efforts.

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Jackson, Luke - Information Systems Group, London School of Economics

Claudio ceaselessly identified and tackled the major issues in the Information Systems field with dedication and rigour, often resulting in surprising and unique insights into organisational life, while all the time maintaining a simple sense of fascination and an irrepressible humour. A true loss.

Jacucci, Edoardo - University of Oslo, Norway

It is thanks to my father that I had the chance to learn to know Claudio 'Cyborg' Ciborra. Since then, 1997, I avidly jumped at any opportunity I could find to bother him with all sorts of questions and gain new perspectives, understandings and ideas of what I wanted to do next in my life. As a result the trajectory of my private and professional life since '97 carries a bit of him and of his world. I even had him to send the prettiest student he had in Bologna to Viktoria Institute in Gøteborg (where I was writing my Masters thesis), who I eventually married. I was really shameless.
Claudio, you have virtually been the godfather of my marriage, my professional life, and my daughter Maia. How I wish she could sit on your lap to pull your long white beard some 10-15 years from now, while we would recall events and memories, like the beautiful Ariadne aus Naxos in Munich, the nice ski trip we had in Alpe di Siusi last year or the 'sparkling' panel at the last IFIP 8.6. To me you are a friend, a guide, a Maestro. You gave me a beautiful example of an authentic life.

Janson, Marius - University of Missouri - St. Louis

I had the opportunity to meet Claudio five years ago during an IS workshop in Northern Finland. I was totally captivated by Claudio's presentation of the spirit of Baroque Art and its relation to the field of Information Systems. In addition to being and extraordinary scholar, Claudio was a generous human being who, even though he was an accomplished skier himself, took time out to give a novice like me helpful hints. My subsequent meetings with Claudio were always a great pleasure and I experience Claudio's passing with great sadness.

Järvinen, Pertti - University of Tampere, Finland

Many Claudio's research reports and articles belong to the 'must' group all the active young and older IS researcher should read.

Johnstone, Justine - London Metropolitan University

I am so very sorry to hear about Claudio. That is terribly sad news; he will be very deeply missed.

Journal of Strategic Information Systems Editorial Board (JSIS)

The forthcoming issue of JSIS (14) 1 is to be dedicated to Claudio

It is with deep regret that we note the passing of a friend and colleague, Professor Claudio Ciborra of the London School of Economics, UK. Claudio was not of the mainstream. Not for him were 2x2 analytical grids, not for him were superficial accounts of so-called competitive advantage from some IT solution (sic.) or other. No, Claudio sought out alternative paths. Concepts of bricolage, of tinkering, and of mood were more in keeping with his critical approach to the subject of Information Systems. He will be sorely missed, not only in the Information Systems Group at the LSE, but throughout the IS academy and beyond.

Jyothiprakashan, Senthil - ADMIS 2000/01, Information Systems Group, LSE

It is very sad to note the passing away of Prof. Ciborra. A genre of information systems will be gone with him. We have to tinker our way without him.

K

Kadinopoulos, Daniela - ADMIS 2003/04, Information Systems Group, LSE

My academic life at the LSE was greatly affected by the figure of Claudio Ciborra. A truly inspirational professor, a personable and humorous individual, Claudio offered a genuine Mediterranean air to the Information Systems Department. As an ADMIS student I found myself going to his lectures even though I had never registered for them, just to listen to his theories and struggle to adapt to his irremarkable way of removing every day life from its conventional boxes.

His death is a true loss to the LSE and to all his students, who endlessly respected his mind, his outstanding personality and his sensational sense of humour.

Kakihara, Masao - Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan

During my study at the LSE IS Dept. (1999-2003), he was always at the forefront of the Dept. He created many 'innovations' by deconstructing the old conventions not only at the Dept. but the IS research field as a whole. 'Social Study of IT (SSIT)' workshops, being held every year since 2001, is one of them and it well contains Claudio's innovative soul. He was a truly intellectual, creative and cool scholar. I still see him in my mind, dancing so happily at the basement bar of the LSE...

Kallinikos, Jannis - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio had many unique and valuable qualities, both as a person and an academic. Yet I will always remember him as the kind of man that combined intellectual generosity and openness in ways that struck me as highly original. In these rare and valuable human and academic qualities he will always stand as the model to emulate.

Kautz, Karlheinz - Department of Informatics, Copenhagen Business School

'You're dangerous because you're honest'. You wouldn't even have liked the U2 song, would have dismissed it as too commercial and mainstream, yet the line describes you somehow. I'm glad though we shared an appreciation for The Matrix soundtrack. Many memories spring to mind: hanging out in a Copenhagen nightclub with you, eating in a small family restaurant on Capri with you, organising and disagreeing on the programme of an (EC)IS conference with you, arguing about IRIS games results and information systems development with you. You were a great challenge and inspiration to me (and many others). You introduced me to the IS community in Italy where I then found so many friends. You are greatly missed, take 'care' where ever you are now.

Kensing, Finn - IT University of Copenhagen

We have known each other for the best half of our lives - professionally and as friends. Your radical and innovative thoughts influenced the ways in which I conduct research. We met at conferences, we travelled together, and we stayed in each others homes. I'll miss the provocative ideas - even the insults, I'll miss the laughs, I'll miss you.

Khanna, Ashutosh - Information Systems Group, LSE

'Hugs & Kisses Ash, love, Claudio'....., his words on a get well card, when I was in hospital a couple of years ago.

I remember Pro's and my shock, and Antonio reassuring us, 'Noooo, but this is what Claudio is like', on seeing him, Professor Ciborra, drumming away on his car steering-wheel and nodding his head wildly, at a drum and bass track, while driving us back to our place, late at night, after his house warming party in Old Street. Another image, in my mind, is of the photograph of him holding up his trophy on the beach after having won the swimming competition last summer. Some of us still use his phrase 'Armani glasses', (imitating an Italian accent) when referring to concepts of 'transaction cost and markets'. It's hard to accept that he is not going to be around us anymore.

His passion for life and his work was an inspiration, if not infectious, evident from his rigorous intellectual inquiry and varied personal interests: swimming; the opera; i-studio 5; his love for well presented, good food; to name a few. It is heart warming and humbling to see how many people's minds and hearts he has touched, like mine. He will always be remembered.

'Hugs & Kisses Claudio, love, Ash.'

King, John L - Dean School of Information University of Michigan

What a terrible loss for us all. Claudio was that most precious of the academic breed: a worthy adversary. I never had a discussion with him in which I came away settled in my mind. He had a way of upending things that I thought I understood. He was brilliant, maddening, humane, and hilarious: an unusual combination, and an endearing one. To lose both Rob Kling and Claudio in such a short period of time... It strains the soul of our field.

Kiran, GR - Information Systems Group, LSE

LSE has lost an excellent academician and a lovable personality. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

Klaus, Helmut - Brisbane, Australia

In mid-2004, I was honoured and fortunate to have Claudio as an external examiner of my thesis. Prior to that, his writings had been an inexhaustible source of inspiration and encouragement. Claudio's boldness and rigour with which he has accomplished the retrieval of phenomenology and hermeneutics for the concern with ICT in the lion's den has been supreme and nonpareil. The ensuing exchange of messages between us, cut short too soon, has allowed me to get a glimpse of Claudio's care, his generosity and his charisma. Although I have not been able to meet Claudio personally, he has been truly someone out of whose book I could take a leaf. Despite our ephemeral acquaintance, Claudio has made a great difference in my life. In gratefulness and grief, I want to assure my condolences to Claudio's family and friends and his colleagues at LSE.

Klein, Heinz K - Binghampton University, USA

I am shocked at this unexpected and sad news of a younger colleague.

His early work, back in the days of 1984 and forward, greatly encouraged me to push for a multiple paradigm concept in IS research even though Ciborra's preferred theoretical framework at that time was a close descendant of positivist-rationalist economics: Transaction cost theory. His untimely death is a great loss for the field, but his stimulating way of expressing his ideas will continue to be with us.

Konsynski, Benn - Emory University

I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Claudio Ciborra. Our research community is diminished by the absence of his independent thinking and tenacity. We could always count on Claudio to bring forward an issue on the future of commerce to our discourse - and persist with passion until the issue was addressed. A most unfortunate loss of a bright and stimulating colleague.

We will miss him.

Kumar, Akhil - Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems, Penn State University

I am very sorry to hear about the tragic and untimely death of Professor Ciborra. He made important contributions to the IS community, and I will miss him. My sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.

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Land, Frank - Emeritus Professor in the Information Systems Group, LSE

Many of my colleagues and I knew that Claudio was gravely ill but that he had maintained his spirit and was continuing to work. The latest news we had was that his condition had stabilised. This made the shock of his death on 13th of February more striking.

I had met Claudio when he was a young man at the Politechnico di Milano. At that time he somewhat shy and modest, but already making an impression with the breadth and depth of his thinking. As the years passed that impression was reinforced. When he came to the LSE as a visiting professor I was delighted, and even more so when he agreed to apply for a permanent post.

Most of the appreciations flowing in from all over the world illustrate the impact he has made on the IS world. But they also indicate the warmth of feeling he engendered as a human being. He added lustre to the IS department at the LSE, and in the great tradition of the LSE he will be remembered as one of its outstanding luminaries. He will leave a huge gap in the IS world.

Lanzara, Giovan Francesco - University of Bologna

Thank you Claudio for the many many years of joint work that we spent together. To do research with you has been a privilege and a pleasure for me. In a way, we felt like children playing and discovering new things. With you around there was always a sense of adventure and discovery mixed with a sense of lightness even in the toughest and most indefatigable intellectual work. I will miss your energy, but will keep exploring.

Lasisi, Adio - Lagos, Nigeria

Claudio's type is rare to find. He is a scholar par excellence. I will remember him for his brilliance, the joy he brought to his lectures and his multicultural skills. We have lost a gem and I hope his works will not die.

Lassey, Bridget - ADMIS 2004/05, Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio's passing is indeed a great loss to his family and the IS department. He was a very practical lecturer and had a ready smile for everyone. He will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family.

Latour, Bruno - Ecole des Mines, France

I am very sorry to hear this sad news; I met Claudio a few times and he was a really warm and energetic presence and it is a terrible loss for the department and the field in general.

Lawrence, Cameron - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio's intellectual contributions to the field of information systems research served the purpose of planting trees that others now sit beneath. In addition, to being a first rate intellectual, he was also a colourful, engaging human being whose deep laugh I will never forget. I have no idea what comes after this life, if anything, but if there is 'something' it just got a lot more interesting.

I am also sorry that I will never have the opportunity to walk the mountains of Mann Gulch with him as we had discussed. There are only a few people in the world who would appreciate that place as much as Claudio and it would have been nice to be there with him.

Leach, Nicola - Theseus Institute

What a pleasure it was to have Claudio with us at Theseus last April where we shared in his inspiring juxtaposition of IS and art at the MBA refresher. We are so fortunate to have had this time with him, only months before his illness started, partying with him at the TAA cocktail party and then enjoying his company over dinner in Valbonne. It was such fun at the time and now, rather poignant that he returned to Theseus at this time after a gap of some years.

Lee, John - ADMIS 2000/01, Information Systems Group, LSE

As a former ADMIS student, I can still remember always looking forward to grabbing the best seat in the Hong Kong Theatre, and how I watched and observed how Professor Ciborra developed and delivered his ideas in ways that left me craving for more! Though he is no longer with us, his words and ideas stay and will continue to influence future generations of IS scholars and researchers.

Liddington, Robert - Middle East Strategy Advisors, Abu Dhabi, UAE

I was saddened to hear that Claudio has left us, so soon. I have many warm memories of subversive, creative and thought provoking conversations with him, as a student at Theseus and later working with him on projects. There aren't enough people out there pushing us to constantly question what's really going on in our world and one less is a great loss. Thank you Claudio for helping us to, at least sometimes, wake up and smell the coffee. But most of all, I thank him for the fact that I never pass a DIY store without thinking about him, with a smile.

Requiescat in pace.

Lindsay, John - Kingston University, UK

Indeed, what a shock. I hope his papers were in good order and someone is about to prepare the bibliography. I had intended to ask him to contribute to the IS Case.

Loebbecke, Claudia - University of Cologne, Germany

I first met Claudio in the early nineties before I had started my PhD. I was a research assistant when he told me during an EU project meeting that research and academia should be about developing new ideas, not about inserting numbers, editing texts, or redrawing figures. How can I ever get close to such an academia à la Claudio?
Later, I saw Claudio at several conferences and workshops, but hardly had the opportunity to work with him more closely or spend more time with him. Too bad for me! So, for him being just one of many in his large networks, I will also miss and remember him. - Tschuess Claudio

Longhi, Geppe - Vice-Dean University IUAV of Venice

Caro Claudio, ricordo con commozione il lavoro fatto assieme, la tua generosità intellettuale ed umana. Che la terra ti sia lieve.

Lyytinen, Kalle - Information Systems Group, Case Western Reserve University, USA

Losing Claudio at an early age is a big loss for our community. I think, only he, with his impeccable Italian style, wits, and the unbearable lightness of his presentations (not lightness in substance) could work through so many contradictions in his work, be such l'enfant terrrible and yet be liked by all. He never let anybody act indifferently towards what he said, nor did he accept indifference but searched for controversy. I have two personal memories which characterize this. In one CSCW conference he insisted on a panel about the fundamental ambiguity of organizational action and strategy. After a long procrastination within a panel about ambiguity John King asked from Claudio what did he EXACTLY mean by ambiguity. Another occasion was when he showed me in the middle of some ICIS conference session a picture of a beautiful white leather sofa in one of the top design magazines, and said proudly that this was his sofa. No one else in the community could have done this with such grace. I miss him.

M

Madon, Shirin - Information Systems Group, London School of Economics

Claudio was a source of great intellectual inspiration to so many of us. Personally speaking, I will always remember with gratitude the support, encouragement and interest Claudio showed in the field of IT and Development. With fond memories, I will also remember how terrible he thought my Italian was! We will miss him terribly in the Department.

Maes, Rik - University of Amsterdam

In the light of our temporary farewell, I can only repeat the dedication you wrote in the book you offered me at our last encounter: 'To a long lasting friend'...

Mann, Harinder - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio filled the LSE and the department with an Italian style and confidence that was individual, yet inspiring to all of us. I'll never forget that Armani spectacles lecture and his comments and advice he used to give, not just in the department but in the gym. He was an all rounder, and he will be deeply missed. It is such a sad loss to lose such a great mind, such a great individual and inspiration so young. May God bless his soul.

Mariotti, Sergio - Professor of Industrial Economics, Polytechnic of Milan, Italy

I personally met Claudio in 1969 when we were students at the Polytechnic of Milan. Claudio was a friend and a colleague. I remember his talent and originality. I will miss Claudio greatly. Ciao Claudio.

Martinez, Marcello - Seconda Università di Napoli, Napoli, Italia

At the University of Naples I had the opportunity to work with Claudio when we organized the 11th ECIS conference in Italy. I was inspired by his ideas and I think he has been an outstanding researcher in the IS and Organizational Theory fields. I feel his death is a great loss for the Italian and international scientific community. I will miss his challenging lectures and his brilliant mind. Ciao Claudio.

Mathiassen, Lars - J Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University

Claudio and I shared the mentorship of late Kristen Nygaard. Kristen was always busy. If he had more than one visitor he made them socialize so he could engage in other missions. This is how Claudio and I ended up in a small office together at University of Oslo in 1977. That became the start of a long friendship and collaboration.

Claudio was looking for a home throughout his life and he found several. One of them was Scandinavia where he visited often, did some of his research, and interacted with students and colleagues. Claudio had, in that way, a severe and long-lasting influence on many research environments in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. He became a frequent participant in the annual IRIS conferences, and he held visiting positions at several institutions.

Always engaged, helpful, and provocative, Claudio was really most at ease when relationships were challenged and pushed to the limit. He would always question the establishment and support those outside the center of events. Sometimes, he would even go so far that he appeared hostile to those with whom he debated. Given his commitment to change and innovate our thinking that was probably just a dysfunctional side-effect.

He was a great researcher and contributor to our field, he inspired me enormously, and he was a very good friend. How sad to miss him already at this point.

Mercurio, Riccardo - Università di Napoli Federico II - Italy

I would like to express the deep regret I feel due to the death of Claudio Ciborra, whose remarkable energy and intellect is a great loss to those of us who constitute the scientific community involved in the study organisation and information systems.
I met Claudio in 1980 at University of Calabria, at the beginning of his academic career. Our careers progressed over the years eventually converging on the same themes of organisational science and, in recent years, of information systems. For more than two decades I had the opportunity to enjoy his friendship, and to admire his dynamic and creative mind as well as his thorough commitment towards research.
The Italian community will sorely miss his talent and his contribution to the advancement of knowledge of our discipline.

Migliarese, Piero - University of Calabria, Italy

I met Claudio Ciborra at Politecnico of Milano since 1978 and since that time we have engaged in research in Information Systems and Organizations . He was for me an important and influential colleague. Italian academic institutions, and especially Politecnico, were not able to understand and to support his creative and stimulating ideas, while at international level he obtained high repute. I remember the period I spent at UCLA with Claudio, at the Center for the Quality of Working Life, and traveling through California from San Francisco to San Diego. I'd like to make a strong prayer for him and his soul.

Moingeon, Bertrand - HEC School of Management, Paris

A great scholar who contributed to demonstrating the strategic relevance of IS. With his capacity to bridge different fields, Claudio was a real contributor to creative thinking!

Mola, Lapo - IULM University, Milan

I had the honour and the pleasure of being accepted by Professor Ciborra as his PhD student at IULM University last year. I haven't had the time to know him as I would have wished. As a scholar he always looked for better and innovative ideas, asking courage of his students; not only in their writing, but also in their lives; giving first his own example. He lives in his works and in the hearts of all the people who knew him: his friends, his colleagues, and his students.

I miss his guidance and the great things he was planning to do. Goodbye Professor.

Moore, Henrietta - Deputy Director, LSE

I will miss Claudio, and not just for all those wonderful evenings at the Opera when the music was always enhanced by his encyclopaedic knowledge, but for his intellectual companionship. His creativity was the defining aspect of his intellectual breadth and integrity. He was a marvellous colleague and a friend. His loss is keenly felt inside and outside the LSE.

Musson, David - Editor, Business & Management, Oxford University Press

Claudio was different - provocative, direct, charming, forgiving, intellectually committed; open to new ideas, experiences and challenges...and fun. His loss will be widely felt, and we are proud to have published some of his books, especially the Labyrinths of Information.

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Nagra, Lakhdip - ADMIS 2003/04, Information Systems Group, LSE

Who could forget his unmistakably Italian style of delivery and wit during his lectures. Not the ADMIS class of 03/04 who will forever more remember his Armani Glasses with a wry smile.

Navarra, Diego - Information Systems Group, LSE

In this unfortunate occasion I would like to evoke some memories regarding the friend and mentor Claudio.

In expressing my condolence and presenting a personal remembering I feel I can only join in the pain of the family, the computer science community and the many friends and colleagues. Claudio was a star of the academic community as much as he was for his students. We all know Claudio was as much knowledgeable about science as much he was about the latest trends, keeping always our attention by being able to quote Martin Heiddegger as well as Ms Dynamite. In doing so I feel necessary to somehow put into brackets the persona of Information Systems Giant Claudio, and after putting aside this image, to contemplate what is left as a personal legacy to me.

He has had a deep and long lasting impact as a mentor, a leader, a supporter during difficult times or simply, but perhaps above all, a friend. On other more academic and scientific occasions I hope to be able to contribute to the collective endeavours aimed at assessing and further developing Claudio's scientific legacy. Claudio's advice has always been critical and straightforward, perhaps sometimes too critical. But most of all I remember his deep sense of aesthetics, his enjoyable knowledge of countries, wines, people all over the world, with a special leaning for kayaking in the Norwegian fjords! A very attentive listener of music, but above all of people. I still remember him in that very mode: light, gentle, and deeply caring.

Nikolakis, Nikolaos - ADMIS 1999/2000, Information Systems Group, LSE

He was great man and great scientist

Nishiwaki, Takashi - ADMIS 2001/02, Information Systems Group, LSE

It is so hard for me to accept this sad news. I have a very good memory of him, of when he led our course and department. I also had a unique experience in his lecture. Even now, I can see what his face is and what he said when he lectured in LSE. His ideas are still in my mind.

I knew that he would often go to the LSE gym in order to keep in good condition. He was so nice to me when I was in the gym at that time. I do hope he can sleep peacefully.

Nosek, John - Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Temple University, USA

I am truly shocked and saddened by Claudio's passing - my work has taken me in different directions and I did not know he was ill. I knew him when the field of IS was even younger and we were trying to understand how IS could support really hard, ill-structured problems. I can still enjoy his intellectual courage and honesty through his writings - I still remember his ideas, while many others have faded like the latest fads. When I read the testimonials from old friends and respected colleagues as well as from the next group of 'Young Turks' who he has inspired, it humbles me and it encourages me - Bravo Claudio!

O

O'Donovan, Ines - Theseus Alumni and Managing Director of myd sarl., France

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there. I did not die.

(Author: Joyce Fessen)

Claudio's ideas did not die. They will live on forever. I was lucky enough to meet Claudio at our Theseus MBA Refresher last year. And he made a big impression.

Okezie, Obi - ADMIS 2003/04, Information Systems Group, LSE

Everyone who met Professor Ciborra knew straight away that the guy was highly intellectual. A lot of us had the privilege of enjoying his lectures, his interesting ideas and unconventional way of thinking. What a loss.

Thank you for the memories you left us with Claudio. Rest in peace sir.

Osei-Joehene, Daniel - Information Systems Group, LSE

Me da wo ase, da yie. ( I thank you. Rest in peace.)

Otiko, Andrew - ADMIS 2001/02, Information Systems Group, LSE

An inspirational theoretical being.

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Panourgias, Niki - Information Systems Group, LSE

It was a privilege to be at the department during Claudio's presence and to witness at first hand how his challenging and groundbreaking contributions took shape. Reading the finished items in books and papers disguised the effort, meticulousness and passion that went into the nurturing and development of the initial raw flash of brilliance. It was invaluable to me to have a ring-side seat for Claudio's campaign/crusade against the appropriation and trivialisation of the notion of situatedness, using Heidegger's study of the letters of St Paul as ammunition. Apart from the content of Claudio's position, what was particularly instructive was to see how he worked. How he started from a highly controversial but emotive and raw reaction and then gradually moulded, shaped and refined it so that it took on increasingly the form of a highly polished and rigorous piece of work. Maintaining the thread from the initial raw emotion through to the polished item was what gave the work that something special. It involved having the courage, but also the intuition and authority, to stand up with something controversial and provocative, but not necessarily ready, and being prepared to take the resulting flack. Rather than be brought down by it, however, the skill was to use it and through reflecting and responding to it, refining the position for use in its next outing. The key seemed to be that it was through this emotional living with the concepts and positions thus brought into being, like a parent defending an errant naughty child, that the emotional link was preserved even as the work itself got more and more intellectually solid. I would feel a great sense of achievement if I could find a way of mastering this technique in my own endeavours.

Papageorgiou, Markos - Technical University of Crete

My dear friend Claudio, the 6-month period I spent in the Politecnico di Milano as a Visiting Professor in 1982 was one of the brightest in my life mostly thanks to you. Although working in different fields, your lecture here in Crete on 6 June 1996 was a unique experience. Tonight I will look at our holiday photos from our common Greek-island holidays with Isella, Michela and the other friends, remember our laughs and controversial discussions. I hope that placing my name in this long list will reserve me a place close to you in any future encounters. So long!

Pastor-Collado, Joan A - Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona

Ciborra is one of the few 'research' names that I can recall from my years of undergraduate student in computer science during the eighties. For some reason, at that moment unknown to me, I happened to run into several of Ciborra's papers at the university library, papers that I then read with curiosity and surprise, being as I was in an environment dominated by computer scientists and engineers.

Now I know that those readings did influence my decision to join the local Information Systems group, where for some years I 'drifted' by researching on conceptual models and deductive databases. But, for my refreshment, I kept on reading papers and books authored by that name: Ciborra. Years later, in 1995, 'serendipity' paved the way for me to meet 'the name'.

While Ciborra was visiting his friend Rafael Andreu at IESE Business School, Janis Bubenko was on leave with my thesis supervisor Toni Olive at UPC. And I was in the middle of them all, trying to bring them together while trying to finish my thesis. A doctoral course was the excuse, and we all 'bricolaged' for a few days the course on Organizations, Strategy and Information Systems, the first edition of which was taught by Andreu, Bubenko, Ciborra and myself. All of a sudden, 'the name' had become a face, a tall body and a friend to me, and Ciborra had moved to Claudio in my mind. In the summer of 1997, I remember having dinner with Claudio on the hills of Barcelona and telling him about my intention to move from the hard to the soft side of IS, from the databases towards the human axis of IS. We agreed so much in our views that he decided to take me to the then forthcoming 20th IRIS meeting. After finding that only paper contributors could attend, he went on to using his 'soft mafia' tools and easily convinced Kristin Braa to allow my attendance.

I had been to ICIS before, but IRIS was a very different thing... especially at night! I had been exposed to part of the Scandinavian IS school, but the part unknown to me was present at IRIS. And you could see that Claudio was loved by them, and that he felt at home with them. From then on, I have met Claudio several times and he has always been so inspiring to me. From time to time I surprise my students by telling them that 'software behaves as if it had a life of its own' and that we should learn how to do 'software gardening' rather than software engineering.

Claudio has been my favourite 'transgressive' author, someone refreshing my ideas and making me question my views on IS, and on research and teaching. Reading authors like Claudio should be mandatory for every computer science student, and a must for every doctoral IS student. I was an undergraduate student when I read Ciborra, then a doctoral student when I made a friend named Claudio, and now a sad IS professor that will never forget you, Claudio Ciborra.

Patriotta, Gerardo - Nottingham University Business School, UK

It was a true privilege to work with you and to have you as a friend. I shall always remember you with love and gratitude.

Paul, Ray - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio appeared in my life quietly, a conference speaker of marked dress sense, style and content. He quickly established his reputation and was rightfully appointed to his Professorship at LSE in 2000 - whereupon I suggested that he led LSE in competition with Brunel! He looked amused.

In 2003 on my medical retirement, he generously had me appointed Visiting Professor at LSE. At my first departmental meeting, when discussing the role of IS at LSE and the individual, Claudio declared that he saw himself as a 'hero figure'. I was amused. I have worked with him on the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). I have waspishly reviewed his book, which the publisher's lawyers refused to print even though Claudio had generously given permission, but he was not amused. When Claudio went off on sick leave, I looked forward to his return in order to disagree about many ideas, both for pleasure and/or conviction. Sadly we have all been robbed by his sudden and ridiculously early death. I am not amused.

In the last few weeks, knowing he was dying, he still found the will to send me a message saying 'congratulations and full admiration' when he heard I was a member of two RAE sub-panels. When I heard of his death I could not believe it, and still cannot. As you can see, it is not easy for me to express myself. All I can say about him now is that he was not just intellectually gifted, but courageous both in offering an honest view but also seeking advice when he needed without ego impeding him. His work, whilst criticised, always provokes thought - the highest achievement in my view. He led the LSE Department (as opposed to mere idle managing) which his absence will now make obvious. He was also generous, courteous and helpful.

On reflection I think he was right. He was, and still is, a hero figure.

Peltu, Malcolm - Editorial Consultant, London

I edited only a few of Claudio's papers; heard him talk only once; and had only a dozen or so real and virtual discussions with him. Yet, when I heard of his death, I felt a deep sense of personal loss - of a light going out. Reading the tributes to him makes me realise that he truly had a special quality of human warmth that touched all those who came into contact with him, however briefly. I understand how much more of a loss his death has been to those who were closer to him and knew him better, but at least his memory still burns brightly for all who had been touched by his living warmth.

Pennarola, Ferdinando - On behalf of the IS group of Bocconi University

At Bocconi University we remember Claudio as an outstanding scholar in the IS field. We have a long tradition in organization theory studies and IS and Claudio has always played the role for us of the challenging researcher, a stimulus to improve our projects and ideas.

Pereira, Monisha - ADMIS 2001/02, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am devastated to hear about the tragic and untimely death of Professor Ciborra. He made important contributions to the IS community, and we will miss him. He was great professor and extremely approachable. My sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.

Piaggesi, Danilo - Sustainable Development Department, Inter-American Development Bank

I had the pleasure to meet Claudio in the preparation of the study we are funding at present about building trust through e-governmenet projects. What really struck me was his being very easy, despite his academic record, in approaching me; he had that kind of sprezzatura in managing his profession that is typical of endowed human beings who do not need to show off their capacities. Even during his most desperate moments, he remained committed to his academic engagement and let the study flow effortlessly, as if everything were normal...

Ad maiora.

Pica, Daniele - Information Systems Group, LSE

It is with great sadness that I pay my respects to Claudio Ciborra. I met Claudio in 2000 as I embarked in my intellectual journey in Information Systems. Claudio has been an indispensable figure throughout the years, both for his writings, for his comments, and for his presence. Brilliant, highly controversial, extremely reflective, witty, and at times moody, Claudio has added 'the spice' to the lives of many, to an entire department and to a field of study that needs it. As such, his academic and leadership skills have been invaluable to the people that surrounded him as well as to the academic field. Although we have forever lost his presence, as far as I am concerned, Claudio is still with us - making a difference through his insightful writings and through the memories we have of him. Thank you Claudio and rest in peace.

Piris, Luisa - Brunel University, UK

Claudio has inspired thousands of students and researchers with always new and innovative ways of approaching Information Systems. We will miss him a lot.

Porciani, Gianna

Ci sono tante parole ma poche appropriate per scrivere di... Claudio mio grande amico dal 1977 forse nessuno come lui ha saputo perfezionare la sua grande lucidità mentale con la genialità e lo studio trasformando il suo corpo di intellettuale in una capacità sportiva che l'ha portato a attraversare a livelli di primato lo stretto fra Stromboli, isola da lui molto amata, e Strombolicchio. l'ho visto tuffarsi in novembre nel mare del nord con un'energia contagiosa, abbiamo condiviso l'amore anche per l'Olanda e la Norvegia.

Il ricordo del suo humour mi impedisce di essere retorica, ma con poche persone come con lui ho sentito la curiosità delle scoperte della mente e la dolcezza di amicizie condivise, la continuità, non sbandierando mai i suoi successi. Ha viaggiato moltissimo ma alla fine aveva scelto di tornare a Milano per un pò quando nonostante la sua forza ha dovuto perdere un'unica battaglia in questo momento è difficile immaginare perchè non sia successo un miracolo ma comunque la vita e la presenza di Claudio sono state miracolose.

Addio grande amico di sempre.

Potter, Richard - Department of Information and Decision Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago

I mentioned to my colleagues several times that we ought to invite him to Chicago to give us a talk, or at least let him know that he was welcome with us any time he might have a layover at O'Hare. So much for opportunities lost, in part because I think some saw him as a European-style, rather than American-style, researcher, with whatever intellectual baggage and biases that might entail. And, of course, even as the number of his fans grew around here, we thought we had all the time in the world.

I look now on my bookshelf and I see that his books are missing. With other authors, we would likely surmise that the borrower has simply forgotten to return them to me. In Professor Ciborra's case, however, I suspect that the reader was so moved by the work that they find it extraordinarily difficult to part with it.

Poulakidakos, Stamatis - NMIS 2002/03, Department of Media Studies, LSE

I remember my first lessons with Professor Ciborra. Let's say that IS wasn't my favourite field. I remember trying desperately to keep up with his characteristic Italian accent. Although I couldn't understand many things in the beginning, his way of thinking and explaining theories of IS was telling you to insist on trying to 'decode' his ideas. Far from that Professor Ciborra with his Italian tamperamento was trying to teach us much more than theories and schemas: he was showing us how to think in a whole new way! A way inspired by a very talented, kind and energetic man. We lost a 53 year 'young' (and not at all old) man. Farewell Professor Ciborra... You managed to surprise us for one last time with your improvisation...

PrimaVera Research Group - University of Amsterdam

Claudio Ciborra was also associated with the University of Amsterdam, where he was a regular guest as visiting professor. We will remember him as an unconventional thinker who inspired all of us. We will miss him.

R

Radzyner, Alex - Head of IS, Bank for International Settlements

After returning to Austria as a 15 year old high school student from my first visit to the UK, I wrote a postcard thanking the family I had stayed with for the 'great hostility they had shown me during my visit'. Some 30 years later, reading Claudio Ciborra's chapter Xenia in the Labyrinth of Information Systems turned the initial pang of embarrassment triggered by this memory into wonder and delight. I vividly remember the inspiration when, while enjoying Claudio Ciborra's hospitality, I read about the concept of hospitality's applicability to information systems: people and infrastructure are ambiguous strangers who should 'grant each other the right to visit but not necessarily the right to stay'. His presence and his writing engaged the heart and mind of the reader/listener as much as he engaged his heart and mind when he taught and wrote. I will miss anticipating the new articles and books Claudio would have written. So, I'll continue to re-read the ones he wrote and be newly inspired many times by the memory of Claudio and his ideas, reaching beyond IS to so many areas of life.

Rendina, Toni - former student, Bologna University (Political Science)

Professor Claudio Ciborra has been a very special person for me. It was the 1997 when I have met him, at his course (Programmazione Organizzativa) at Bologna's university: his talks, his lessons during the course were all the time flavoured with humour and irony, and most of the students remained fascinated by this professor so different from the rest.

Claudio gave me my big opportunity to study and to write my thesis at Viktoria Institute in Gothenburg, thanks to him I have also undertaken some research at LSE when he was visiting professor. Once I completed my study, I moved to the UK, during my stay in London it was a great pleasure to visit Claudio at LSE constantly: we had in common the passion for travelling, for the sunshine and for London.
I am so proud to have been your student, I will miss you.

Resca, Andrea - Iulm University - Milan

My mind, after Claudio's loss, goes back to our university days in Bologna, when I met him first, and considers how my life has changed because of it. New horizons were opened and new meanings concerning what to do in my life emerged. But what about now? I am pretty sure that things will not change a lot. Claudio will continue to inspire me and maybe not only me. He will continue to be a point of reference for researching into the very depth of things and for pursuing the beauty of life.

Reuter, André - European Institute for Knowledge and Value Management, Luxembourg

Good-bye Claudio, you lost the battle against this terrible disease. Nevertheless the numerous 'highlights' of your too short life: your publications; your conferences; your lectures; the many discussions, which you led with students and colleagues; above all however, your friendliness, your commitment and your constant search for balance and equality, let you live on in the heads and hearts of many friends. I had the pleasure of meeting you in the eighties in Sophia Antipolis, when I was able to work as Guest teacher at Theseus. Since then we undertook a few projects together. Unfortunately, right now I could do with your advice for the establishment of our new institute.

Ribbers, Pieter - Tilburg University, Netherlands

This has really come as a shock to me. I will remember Claudio as one of the challenging contributors to our Sisnet group in the early nineties. He also was a great performer in our executive program: Master of Information Management.

Roque, Licinio - University of Coimbra, Portugal

It is with immediate nostalgia that we hear of the departure of Claudio Ciborra. Reading his texts frequently marks a turning point for many of us. In tribute, we acknowledge his profound influence and life on our own work.

Rose, Nikolas - Professor of Sociology, LSE

I will miss Claudio greatly. He was a wise and generous colleague when we were both convenors, and his charm and grace under the pressure of the role was exemplary. His intellectual breadth and rigour made him a great colleague and he opened up real connections with the work of critical social scientists across disciplinary divides. This is a very sad and cruel loss to our LSE community.

Rossignoli, Cecilia - Facoltà di Economia, Universita' degli Studi di Verona

Dear Claudio,

Your work represents a milestone for all scholars worldwide and a great inspiration for me. Thank you Claudio, I will all miss your inimitable style. Good bye.

S

Salahuddin, Mobina - ADMIS 2004/05, Information Systems Group, LSE

I am honoured to have been taught by such a high calibre intellectual. Professor Claudio Ciborra was truly inspirational and will be missed in the world of Information Systems. Thank you Claudio for teaching us how to think differently.

Salètes, Anne - Theseus MBA (T3 1991/92)

It may sound strange that the key messages retained at the end of an MBA are…'let the spaghetti grow…' and 'bricolage', but to me they embody what Claudio's teaching and personality were: impertinence, lateral thinking, happiness, freedom. You do not study the Mafia as an organisational system in every MBA… but this is what Claudio did, forcing us to realise that life - and information systems - follow sometimes their own routes that you'd better stay flexible and open, catch opportunities and see intelligence where others would see deviation from the track.
Twelve years later, the teaching is still there, and still very much actual, and fortunately, increasingly understood and shared.

Samonas, Spiro - ADMIS 2003/04, Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio marked an era in the Department as well as the Academia. His vision, persistent work and most of all, his love for the LSE made him the corner stone of the Department. Being a true academician, he gradually injected his innovative and radical way of thinking and interpreting phenomena into the IS field. He was among those enlightened people who brought to the fore the irresistible need for the study of Information Systems from a social perspective, by posing critical questions and establishing new streams of research.

Friends, colleagues and students remember Claudio as a charismatic and energetic personality who lived his life to the full; his advanced mentality and intellectuality was prominent in every manifestation of his life. Claudio, you will always live in our minds and hearts…

Sarfraz, Aamer A - Information Systems Group, LSE

I will always remain tremendously indebted to Professor Ciborra. I wish I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to him. I will remember him and his family in my prayers.

Sarikas, Omiros D - ADMIS Sudent 2000/01

The news that Claudio is gone left many speechless and in great sorrow. One of the greatest men I had the honour to meet in person is gone.

Claudio's aura, books and rhetoric inspired many. His lectures at LSE were remarkable. So was his strict tone and personality and charisma. A true genius. A demanding leader. A model to aspire to. I still cannot believe that Claudio is gone. It is tragic.

My most sincere sympathies to the department, his colleagues, students and family.

Sauer, Chris - Templeton College, Oxford

I am deeply upset to hear the tragic news of Claudio's death. I had known him as a colleague for some ten years, first as a co-contributor to a conference panel session, then when he contributed a chapter to a book I edited, and since I became an external examiner for the London School of Economics we have seen each other twice yearly for examination boards. I always looked forward to meeting Claudio for two reasons - because he was always interesting to talk to about the arts - opera, design, fine art - and because he exuded a sense of fun and mischief which resulted in delightfully controversial stances as an academic. I shall miss him especially for his writings. He was the only author in our field whose work I always, always looked forward to reading. My sympathies to all his family and friends.

Sawyer, Steve - Penn State University, USA

Claudio's passing takes more than his life from us, it also leaves information systems a little more drab. I shall miss his provocations, musings and moods. I won't miss them directed at me, of course.

Scott, Susan - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio's work was a great inspiration to me as a doctoral student and I read everything that he wrote avidly. As my career progressed, I always made time to attend his seminars and was excited at the prospect of his arrival as Professor at LSE. When Claudio was flat-hunting, he stayed with my husband Walter and I at our place near Chancery Lane. He was a gracious guest, teaching us about the importance of using just the right olive oil for specific dishes, helping us to choose light fittings, discussing the best nightclubs nearby. As a colleague he brought us drama and challenged everyone. Claudio leaves much work unfinished. It is sad that his life was cut so short. I wish him peace.

Shaikh, Maha - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio was a brilliant man, he was eccentric, interesting, dynamic and very charismatic. He could hold an audience captive and I remember the lectures he gave for Interpretations of Information in a way that I can remember no other. His passion for research and a drive to push IS forward was felt by all that read his work or had the pleasure of meeting him. It seems so strange to think that we will never see him stride in to i-Studio 5 again, hear his laugh, or hear and try to follow his conversation in Italian to Antonio through the walls separating their offices! I had the pleasure of working with him recently and this was such a learning experience. His dedication to his work is reflected in the fact that he was writing papers up to the very last few days of his life. I hope that we get to see his last few unfinished papers because he inspires all with his work and will never be forgotten, both as a wonderful man and a fantastic academic. We miss you Claudio….

Skouras, Alex - ADMIS 2001/02, Information Systems Group, LSE

I feel so numb. Claudio is gone. One of the most charismatic men I had the honour to meet. A unique leader. I feel so lucky that I heard his lectures, his words. Claudio was and will be a pure inspiration to everyone that had the unique opportunity to meet him, to hear him.

Smithson, Steve - Information Systems Group, LSE

We will all miss you, lots. Your intellect, charm, vision and humour are irreplaceable.

Wherever you are, dance on.

Sørensen, Carsten - Information Systems Group, LSE

Claudio was always the master of substance and style. From ICIS 1991 where Claudio showed us photos of Hundertwasser's architecture and suggested lack of documentation and improvisation as a means of creating strategic advantage, over his taste of rotten mushrooms when he dressed as a preacher took on strategic alignment at ECIS 1997, to his excellent recent presentation of moody knowledge. He also had the rare ability to consistently deliver recalcitrance. In his world social science laboratories could indeed blow up, and they frequently did. The results were most often than not spectacular, groundbreaking and unexpected. Due to Claudio's rigor, integrity, idiosyncrasy, charm and in particular humour, it was impossible to take it personal when his lab happened to explode in your face. His search in Gothenburg for pasta sauce without the obligatory cream led the gang to a restaurant where the Italian owner refused to believe that Claudio was Italian - much to his own great amusement. Claudio was a unique person and we will all miss dearly at work every day. His ideas locked in books cannot console us as we have lost a friend.

Goodbye Claudio.

Sorrentino, Maddalena - Universita' degli studi di Milano, Italy

We will miss enormously your brilliance and your free spirit. Though we have lost these, we will certainly endeavour to keep alive our memory of you and your inspiring ideas. Thank you and ciao.

Spagnoletti, Paolo - CeRSI - LUISS 'Guido Carli' Rome

I'm at the IS Department of LSE for a short period and I was really hoping to meet him here one day and to have the opportunity to discuss with such a charismatic and charming man that I met for the first time at a conference in Rome last year.
Yesterday I read The Labyrinths of Information and these web pages...he told me a lot.

Spaltro, Enzo - Bologna, Italia

What terrible news!

We have been in the same department of University of Bologna for many years. My office was in front of his office. In this position we met many times when we were starting or finishing a new working day-as we're doing now: finishing a working day and starting a new one! We discussed many things, but we had more and more to say! All too soon my friend is going away I'll have always the speed of your reasoning in my mind and your way of smiling good bye, Claudio.

Caro Claudio, ti scrivo perchè così mi sembra che tu possa ricevere questo mio messaggio ed invitarti così a un congresso che certamente faremo in qualche parte e su qualche cosa. Enzo Spaltro.

Spil, Ton - University of Twente, The Netherlands

It was at IRIS 1999 that I learned the great capacity of Claudio. As you might know IRIS is a typical Scandinavian affair and outside the sessions hardly any English is spoken but by keeping close to Claudio life was easy. Everyone gathered round him and he alone could silence the Scandinavian languages around me. And then surprise you with a fluent Norwegian sentence. As an 'incrementalist' I will miss his criticisms dearly. I wish his family and friends a lot of strength in the empty time to come.

Spinella, Roberto - On behalf of the Swim Master team, Milan, Italy

Claudio, o il nostro 'Cyborg' come amavamo chiamarlo in squadra, eri con noi sin dagli inizi quando riuscivi ancora ad allenarti regolarmente, quando la tua passione per il nuoto ti aveva spinto fino negli USA per affinare la tua tecnica con teorie futuristiche sulle nuotate, prima che i tuoi sempre crescenti impegni di lavoro facessero di te un saltuario in allenamento, ma sempre presente appena possibile alle nostre gare e ritrovi di gruppo. Ogni qual volta comunque ti presentavi era per noi motivo di gioia, per il tuo perenne sorriso, per i tuoi nuovi piercings, per la tua calma nella discussione di spogliatoio. Io personalmente ti ringrazio per il tuo supporto quando la squadra ha cominciato a vacillare e per la nota di colore che hai sempre portato nel nostro gruppo.

Ti aspettavamo a giugno l'anno scorso ai mondiali Master di Riccione fino a che ti ho chiamato, per sapere del tuo ricovero improvviso, non mi sarei mai aspettato che andasse a finire così.

Resterai per sempre nei ricordi di tutti noi Masters. Your coach …. forever

Sternhell, Amir Abraham - Theseus MBA (T3 1991/92)

Claudio, fly high my friend, inspire us from your dwellings upstairs, safeguard our faults in our reason and logic, walk us to the garden of knowledge.

Strassmann, Paul A - retired Chief Information Officer of Kraft, Xerox, Department of Defense and NASA

Claudio was a lively, inquisitive and analytically oriented researcher. That was a refreshing departure from what many of his colleague tried to do when attempting to rationalize the impacts of information technologies on corporate economics.

Claudio - a relatively young man - will remain in our memories with fondness and admiration.

Swan, Jacky - Warwick Business School, UK

On behalf the IKON research group: Jacky Swan, Harry Scarbrough, Sue Newell, Maxine Robertson, Mike Bresnen.

We were shocked to hear of Claudio's recent death. Claudio was an inspiration to his many colleagues and friends beyond the LSE, including those of us in the IKON research group. We have particularly warm memories, for example, of his stylish keynote at one of our conferences a few years back on 'Moody Knowledge'. Only Claudio could have pulled off a title like that. We would like to express our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.

Symeou, Pavlos - ADMIS 2003/04, Information Systems Group, LSE

It's been a few days now and your figure comes to my mind and it is such a haunting thought that you will not be among us, physically. I did not know what to write, I only lie back and imagine being in another of your lectures, listening to you with dedication, knowing that we had so many things to learn. Your memory, academic activity, smile and kindness will always escort us and remind us of a genuine personality, restive spirit and great professor.

Claudio, our mind is with you.

T

Talamo, Cinzia - Politecnico di Milano, Italia

Ho appreso con grande dolore della scomparsa di Claudio Ciborra.

Venne con grande disponibilità, su nostro invito, a tenere alcuni seminari per i nostri studenti del Politecnico di Milano, con la sua capacità di annodare - con incredibile facilità e semplicità - i fili di saperi diversi e di raccontare in modo innovativo e originale i processi di decisione. Furono per noi occasioni importanti e stimolanti di riflessione e di apertura, al di là dei confini disciplinari. Conservo degli incontri con Claudio Ciborra il ricordo di una bellissima intelligenza, vivace, curiosa, acuta e di una persona che, nonostante l'importanza e il peso dei suoi impegni e delle sue esperienze, sapeva conservare nei rapporti con le persone calore e freschezza.

La comunità degli studiosi e degli studenti ha perso veramente molto, su tutti i piani. Esprimo il mio cordoglio a quanti lo hanno conosciuto e amato.

Thacker, Nakul - ADMIS 1998/99, Department of Information Systems, LSE

I was very saddened to hear about Professor Ciborra's death. My condolences go out to his family and friends. He was a great man and a great tutor. His unique way of teaching inspired us all and has contributed to our success and lives. Most people just pass their lives away and have nothing to show for it with regards to a contribution to the world; that cannot be said for Mr Ciborra as his contributions will always be remembered. May God bless him and look over him.

Toldonato, Francesco - Roma, Italia

L' ho saputo aprendo il tuo sito, per controllare il titolo di un tuo libro; ti avrei chiamato subito dopo per fissare un nostro incontro a Milano nei prossimi giorni. Ci sei, amico grande e carissimo, ci sei nel mio lavoro e nel mio tempo, come in questi primi vent'anni.

Torgersen, Marit - ADMIS 2002/03, Information Systems Group, LSE

It was with great sadness that I got the message about Claudio's death. Claudio's lectures in the Interpretations of Information course gave me a limited, but extremely interesting, insight into his brilliant work. Last time I met Claudio was on the streets of Oslo, where he was giving lectures at the University. We accidentally 'bumped' into each other, and, as the wonderful person he was, he came along for a nice cup of coffee (tea for him of course) and a long chat. It makes me very sad to know that I will not 'bump' into him again.

Tsiavos, Prodromos - Information Systems Group, LSE

It is strange but the department, our department, has never been so full of you now that you are not any more there.

You have always been a naughty kid making sure that no single research seminar, conference or other event you ever participated remained a dull gathering of bored and boring academics. You were giving me false deadlines to make sure that I would submit my papers on time and we never managed to agree on a single thing related to fashion, music or art, (if art is those posters that I kept putting on the walls of the 5th floor). But being a kid you would always be fascinated by a new idea; look out for the people you loved; and give advice in your own unique Claudio way that made me a happy man every time I would get a smile or an email from you. I still remember our trip in Oslo with Ole, Jannis, Daniel and Diego, the first research trip I had ever made. I had lost my wallet, credit cards and was late in every single meeting we had when you turned to Jannis and told him: 'we chose not to have any children to avoid this, and now look at us!'

Another time, in Oslo again, I was not letting you enjoy your meal and kept asking you about a boring case study. You gave me a very serious look and told me that we all have a limited time on this planet and we had better spend it doing interesting stuff. This was back in 2002.

I hope that you will be cycling up there as well and I'm sure bicycles are not as easily stolen there, as in London. Maha says that she will finish your paper; I still need to look at the manuscripts for the risk case study; and Ash refuses to accept that you have left. I think he is right.

Truex III, Duane P - Department of Computer Information Systems, Georgia State University

Like others I had heard he was ill, but never guessed it was cancer that would claim this energetic and athletic colleague.

Claudio was a bit of an enigma. He was a respected scholar (his early work on Williamson and transaction cost theory in IS was wonderful and personally inspirational), an influential insider who liked to rail at the system with his regular polemics and a challenge to anyone who liked a tad of stability. He was a boat-rocker; he raised important issues, and at times hurt people's feelings in the process. But it can never be said that he did not hold strong beliefs or that he was afraid of making those know to others. Thus he had many loyal friends counterbalancing people who were less supportive. But all, friend or foe, respected his intellect and his passion if not his style in expressing those positions.

Yet, in my experience, privately he was a fair and generous friend. I, for one, will miss him. His death is a loss to our community of scholars.

Tzouris, Menelaos - Information Systems Group, London School of Economics

I first met Claudio in 2001 when I was doing my MSc at the IS department. He became my dissertation advisor and although I didn't have the opportunity to speak to him very often, his comments on my work always kept me motivated and inspired. When I came back to the department in 2004 I was really sorry to find out that he was on a sick leave. People here deeply believed that he would make it and that soon we would all see him again.

Since yesterday I have kept on watching the video of his speech that took place on the 2 June 2004, which is available from the IS web site [but only from inside LSE for the time being]. I am sure that in his new place close to God he still inspires, motivates, and stands out!

V

van Citters, Susanna - CISCA, Netherlands

Caro Claudio,

Ho appena ricevuto la brutta notizia da Napoli, che ci hai lasciato. Sono Susanna van Citters, l'amica olandese di Gino d'Alessio e Carmine Maringola, Michele Battimielo e tanti altri amici che noi abbiamo in comune. Sono molto dispiaciuta che hai sofferto di un tumore, di cancro, prima di lasciarci. Ho sempre goduto della tua presenza, la tua allegria e umore! Quante rissate che abbiamo fatto! Poi ovviamente ero impressionata dalle tue energie ed idee... la facilita' con quale viaggiavi da un paese al altro per scambiare idee, ricerca e studi con i colleghi tuoi. Spero che puoi ridere qua' sopra e che puoi essere sereno. Mi manchi gia'. Ti bacio

Voutsina, Katerina - Information Systems Group, LSE

Our Claudio had always pursued authenticity and originality in every facet of his everyday life. He was writing about the role of surprises and improvisation in IT management and then the way he was lecturing was itself a surprise and an improvisation! Every topic gained a new interesting and challenging dimension after Claudio touched it. The discussions I had with him were always an inexhaustible source of joy, excitement and intellectual stimuli. I feel so privileged to have been his student. The academic world has lost one of the brightest minds and we have lost one of the most beloved teachers - We will miss him terribly.

W

Wagner, Erica - Cornell University

It goes without saying that Claudio contributed significantly to IS research. In creative and scholarly ways Claudio challenged the dominant IS paradigm and I admire him for that. Most of all though I'll remember dancing with Claudio at IS gatherings and watching him fully enjoy himself. What a smile.

Bridge, Alfred - Publisher

Over the years I met Claudio at numerous conferences and seminars. Ever the maverick with an original mind, a one-off, and always his own man, it was fun to engage him in dialectic enquiry. As a publisher I had been trying for years to persuade him to write a book for me but always he said that if he wrote it I would rue the day that it published because the contents would infuriate the establishment and sell few copies. That response simply spurred me to greater efforts. Alas, although there were occasions when I thought that I had persuaded him, it was never to be. He will be greatly missed by all who had contact with him.

Wallwork, Andrew - Information Systems Group, LSE

My name is Andrew... I am a current ADMIS student. During my undergraduate studies at Lancaster University I was introduced to some of the work by Claudio Ciborra. I was inspired and enlightened by his way of approaching the field of Information Systems, and indeed he was an influencing factor in why I applied to ADMIS in winter 2004. In fact I never had the honour and pleasure of meeting the Professor, yet I was still proud to be studying in 'his' department. It was clear that he was a greatly respected man among his fellow teaching staff and among the students that knew him. It is with deep regret and sadness that I learn of his passing and I offer my sincerest good will and best wishes to his family and friends. His work will live on and his memory will endure at the LSE. I am sure the he will be remembered among the great academics both past and present, who have attended and worked at this great school.

Watson, Rick - AIS President

On behalf of AIS, and personally, I lament the great loss to our community with the passing of Claudio Ciborra. His writings and thoughts will live to inspire and provoke generations of IS scholars.

Westrup, Chris - Manchester Business School

Though I knew that Claudio was gravely ill it still comes as a surprise to hear of his death at such an early age. Claudio has made an important contribution to the understanding of information systems where his breadth of learning, his enthusiasm and intellectual rigour, as well as his productivity, leave a legacy that is very important. He is one of a select few who have developed the understanding of IS to include mainstream social science thinking and his example has encouraged many of us to do likewise.

In all my dealings with Claudio I found him sympathetic, interested, and intellectually challenging. I know his death has left a large gap in the teaching and understanding of IS but, more positively, Claudio's constant work with others means that developments drawing on his work and contributions will continue for many years to come.

Whitley, Edgar - Information Systems Group, LSE

Knowing that Claudio will never return is very tough for us at LSE who have worked closely with him since he 'settled down' in London. He was a great friend who enjoyed good food, good company and good music (when he first arrived, he asked me about radio stations in London and was particularly keen to identify any that might play music by 'The Dead Kennedys'). He was a colleague to chat to about academic ideas and the arts as well as someone to share gossip with (many of these conversations took place over lunch, where Claudio was a big fan of stodgy English puddings). He was a head of department who became a highly effective leader (never having held such a position provided a real test of double-loop learning for him) and, in my case, Claudio was the person who had taught an advanced MSc option with me since 2000. Claudio was particularly proud of this course and one of the last e-mails I received from him was enquiring about how many students had enrolled this term on 'our course'.

These aspects of Claudio (and many others) can never be replaced. However, so much of Claudio is still with us. In particular, I treasure his belief that we are all capable of delivering innovative, world class research. All too often, he would look at our work and see in it not the work-a-day material that was perfectly capable of being published, but the potential for fantastic work that we were overlooking. These critiques applied as much to people like me as they did to the PhD students presenting their work for the first time. While unsettling to begin with, this belief slowly infected us all, and has completely transformed the way I think about my research. I now find myself rising up and asking 'Is this work as innovative as Claudio would like?' and if not, 'What can I do to transform it into something really interesting?'.

Those of us who have worked closely with Claudio have had the benefit of seeing a wonderful individual at work. We have also had the advantage of having a role model to look up to and to try to emulate (however poorly). Thank you Claudio.

Whitley, Edgar - on behalf of the ECIS Standing Committee

Claudio was involved with the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) at many levels. Few will forget the enchanting keynote presentation on the nature and limits of models and methods in the IS discipline he gave in Cork in 1997. Less widely appreciated, however, was all the work he did behind the scenes to develop and strengthen the European IS community. Following on from his book in 1994 with Tawfik Jelassi that presented a European perspective on strategic information systems, Claudio accepted the role as international programme chair for ECIS 1999 in Copenhagen where he was instrumental in shaping the nature of the contributions to be presented at that conference. More recently, he helped bring ECIS to Naples in 2003. This memorable conference also played a significant role in creating a growing, dynamic information systems community in Italy.

In recognition of all of Claudio's works for the ECIS community, the ECIS standing committee is pleased to announce the creation of a special award for the most innovative research paper at ECIS, to be awarded every year in Claudio's honour.

Wilberforce, Daniel - ADMIS 2000/01, Information Systems Group, LSE

As an ADMIS student I found Professor Ciborra extremely enlightening in the classroom, but my fondest memory lies in our short yet insightful conversations in the gym. The length of time I knew him is a mere speck in comparison to others who have written here, but his charisma and down-to-earth approach to learning has left a huge impression on my career. It seems, in the words of the Greek poet Homer, that 'He knew the things that were and the things that would be and the things that had been before' when it came to information systems. Alas, academia has lost a person of great genius. My condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.

Wiredu, Gamel - Information Systems Group, LSE

I was deeply saddened to read about Professor Ciborra's demise this afternoon. My first interaction with Claudio was in late 2001 when I went to introduce myself as he was my personal tutor. As a budding IS student at that time, the few questions and comments he asked/offered during our short discussion initiated my strong admiration for his insightful ideas. Through my readings of his numerous works and my experience of sitting in his lectures and seminars at the LSE, I've learnt a lot from him. I will never forget the critical yet very useful comments he offered about my PhD research during my upgrade presentation in September 2003 because the key contributions of my PhD emanated from those comments. Personally, his brilliance and creativity that have earned him worldwide recognition in the IS and Organisation Science fields has always been my inspiration, and I'll forever live to remember him. While we grieve over his death, I hope we'll be thankful for his life because Claudio lived and dedicated his efforts through extensive research to push forward the knowledge frontiers of IS and Organisation Science. As a true intellectual and scholar, the heavy influence of his ideas goes without saying; and I have no doubt that his ideas will endure in the years to come.

May his soul rest in peace.

Work, Brent - Cardiff University, UK

I did not know Claudio personally. I had listened and talked to him at several conferences over the last decade and had a particularly wonderful conversation with him once when visiting the LSE for the day. Yet, in these brief encounters I felt the full force of his charm. It was as a reader of his work though that I knew him best.
I learned of his death only yesterday. I was rereading an essay from his book The Labyrinths of Information in order to confirm that it was the one that I wanted to give to a group of students. As I recalled, it made a very particularly point far better than I could. But as I read it, I realized that the essay was even more wonderful than I had remembered. This was because two years after my first reading, I could see new facets to it that had eluded me earlier. After all, it is the nature of a classic that a reader grows into it. In fact the experience was so pleasurable that I read the whole book through again in one sitting. My enjoyment was so intense that I went to the Internet to send Claudio a note to thank him. On the Web I found the awful news that he had died several weeks earlier.

There are many reasons to praise Claudio, and many more eminent than I have and will do so. I just want to say that there were three things about his work that I admired above all else. The first was his writing. Many professors have written intelligently on information systems, but few have added to the literature on this subject. Claudio was foremost among this literary few. The second was that he was truly learned. Once upon a time, this was a requisite quality of any professor, but intense specialization has made synoptic learning seem terribly old-fashioned. Nevertheless, I learned the most from Claudio when he employed fresh metaphors, like bricolage, drift, and hospitality, from distant intellectual fields to caste light on hitherto hidden features of information systems. The third was that he seemed to recognize that the study of information systems belonged to the humanities rather than either engineering or social science. And here I think he came closest to the essence of our krisis. These are the things that I thought most rare about Claudio¹s work and the ones that I most valued about him. These are the reasons, I think, that students, teachers, and practitioners of information systems will find Claudio impossible to replace.

Wynn, Eleanor - Intel

I owe so much to Claudio. He 'intervened' in my life by inviting me to speak at an IFIP conference in Riva del Sole, Italy in 1982. At the time, I was unaware that my dissertation was being read in Europe. I did not have a paper to present at the conference. Claudio invited me to just come and the conference would pay my way. After a longish journey by air and rail, and having slept through the day, I arrived at the conference reception. Inside the door were Kristen Nygaard and some other people. I introduced myself and everyone seemed to know of me already. This was a real Cinderella moment for me! Claudio helped me by recognizing what I was trying to do in my work, and I always have used his work as a guiding light. He has made such a deep impression on my thinking that I think I have cited him in every paper. He provided other opportunities, notably the chapter in his book on groupware. Personally I was extremely fond of him. We always took some time to talk at conferences. He visited my humble house in Palo Alto. We listened to Men at Work sing 'The Land Down Under', we shopped together at Neiman Marcus. Hanging out with Claudio was such a pleasure, I only wish it could have been all the time. In the last year I discovered what Frank Land mentioned, a development of temper I had not experienced before. But to be honest, I took it like a phenomenon of weather. Nothing could ever cloud the great affection, love and admiration I feel for Claudio. I can't believe I won't see him again.

Y

Yang, Yudong - ADMIS 2000/01, Information Systems Group, LSE

My condolences to Claudio's family. I really can't make myself believe such bad news. The lectures given by Claudio are still make a vivid picture in my mind. I still remember the time when I promised him to translate his book into Chinese; he was so pleased and gave me a great deal of encouragement.

May he have a peaceful time in heaven.

Z

Zuboff, Shoshana - Harvard Business School, USA

Claudio would have loved this page. Our collected tenderness, grief, affection. But also, the fact of it - pasted up, situated, communal, expressive. In this virtual place resides the potential he always saw: the deeper truths beyond the reach of templates and hierarchies.

I am coming to terms only slowly with this page. My relationship with Claudio has been a virtual one for the last eight months. Each night before I went to bed on the east coast of the US I wrote him a note. The mornings began with sitting down to read his reply. In this way I have kept track of his illness and his, famous, moods. I have exhorted, cheered, scolded, persuaded, pleaded, prayed, and most of all tried to let him know how much I loved him. I expect to be getting a note back from him in the morning, even now.

My memories of Claudio stretch back to the beginning of my own career, but I can't recall how we first met. I can see him standing in my little assistant professor's office at Harvard back in 82?, 83? recounting Unger's latest lecture at the Law School, when Claudio was in Boston as a fellow at MIT, I think. I remember him making pasta at his rented flat, while on the phone with a friend in Italy who was reading him the recipe: ricotta, eggplant... Later we had lots of adventures working together: Venice, London, Milan, both Cambridges, Nice, Naples, and on and on. Funnily, my most vivid recollection of him is right here in my home. I came down to the kitchen one summer morning and he was sitting at the counter. He looked at me with the widest, silliest grin I had ever seen. Then I realized my two young children were bustling around him, making bacon and eggs and smoothies and serving 'Uncle Claudio' in grand style. 'I am surrounded by intelligent agents,' he said, giggling wildly. It seems like Claudio has been there by my side more or less always.

Claudio was the only one who really understood my relationship to my work. That will never happen again. We could have a fierce discussion about Heidegger then prowl the Cap d'Antibes for the best bouillabaisse. Saying goodbye to him is too painful.

Claudio was a big human being. I adored his irony and elegance and the way it gently cloaked a mischievous ardour, commitment, and need. I adored his mind, his clarity and playfulness and the way he reveled in subtlety. We didn't have to see each other all the time, but we made sure we knew the other was there. Ah, the cell phone. When we were together, we were never bored; there was always too much to discuss and not enough time. Not enough time. Now I feel a tear in the universe and it's hard to breathe. I miss him terribly. How could he go ?

It helps a great deal to read the loving words of so many friends, colleagues, admirers. That was Claudio.

^