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Conor Gearty Memorial Fund

Conor Gearty

Remembering Conor Gearty

It was with profound sadness that the Law School announced the death of our beloved colleague, Professor Conor Gearty, on 11 September 2025. A charismatic and devoted teacher, an influential public voice, and a scholar of international standing, Conor brought extraordinary energy, curiosity and warmth to our community.

Conor shaped LSE life over many years. He joined LSE in 2002 as founding Director of the Centre for Human Rights, became Professor of Human Rights in 2009, and later led the Institute of Public Affairs, forging connections across disciplines and sharing ideas widely with students, colleagues and the public. His teaching and scholarship in civil liberties, human rights and anti-terrorism law inspired generations and reflected his commitment to reasoned debate and the public good. Conor was also a respected legal practitioner and public intellectual, a founding member of Matrix Chambers, an honorary KC, a Fellow and former Vice-President for Social Sciences of the British Academy, as well as an Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy. He was deeply committed to ensuring greater access, diversity and representativeness in legal education and practice.

Conor most recently chaired the board of the Law School’s new Legal Advice Centre, established in 2025, and its mission – to involve students in providing free legal advice to those in need – was very dear to his heart.

You can read more about Conor’s life and work in the LSE Law School obituary.

Honouring Conor’s legacy

We are establishing the Conor Gearty Memorial Fund to continue the work at LSE that mattered to him. By donating today, you can continue his legacy in supporting human rights education and practice at LSE.

About the fund

Through the Conor Gearty Memorial Fund, we aim to:

  • Support students with bursaries and scholarships wishing to study human rights law at the Law School who would not otherwise be able to do so.
  • Support professional development opportunities for human rights students in the Law School.
  • Resource students’ practical work through the LSE Legal Advice Centre where it relates to human rights (for example, work on public protest).

Make a gift in memory of Professor Conor Gearty

Share your memories

You are warmly invited to share your memories and condolences with Conor’s family and the Law School community.

Get in touch

If you would prefer to give by bank transfer, cheque or through a charitable foundation, or if you would like more information about supporting the Conor Gearty Memorial Fund then please contact Professor Jeremy Horder.