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Dave Bewley-Taylor
September 24, 1968 - November 20, 2024
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2025-01-02 01:41:28 View / Comment (0)John Walsh
About to board the train to London to Swansea for a workshop Dave organized on drug policy and biodiversity
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2025-01-02 01:40:56 View / Comment (0)
John Walsh
Dave was a brilliant colleague, tireless researcher and advocate, and great fun and a dear friend. He had much to share, and the energy of 10 people. And share he did. Knowing that I am one of literally dozens and dozens and dozens of people whose lives Dave made better, more fun, funnier and more meaningful makes his time on this earth all the more significant and wonderful. Thank you Dave!
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2024-12-12 17:55:44 View / Comment (0)I snapped this photo in January 2024 in rural San José del Guaviare, Colombian Amazon. I was fortunate to have traveled with Dave on his last trip to Colombia, where he was truly in his element. He specifically asked me to share this photo with him after the trip so he could send it onto his family, so I imagine they already have it. But if not, I am sharing again here. Thank you, Dave, for being a source of inspiration for a young researcher like myself. Godspeed and farewell
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2024-12-05 08:39:47 View / Comment (0)
Emma Frearson Emmanuel
So many wonderful words i’ve been shared about Dave already in truly fitting tribute to the kind, bright and funny person he was. I was fortunate to work as part of the American studies team in the 1980s and Dave was an early pioneer on exchange to the USA. He brought huge enthusiasm, love of adventure and determination to squeeze every ounce of potential out of the experience. For so many of us those study abroad opportunities opened doors to exciting, and interesting careers with Travel and friendships at the heart. With huge condolences to Cath, Poppy and Fynn and happy memories of Dave x
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2024-12-04 13:11:15 View / Comment (0)Pien Metaal
This visit was memorable, also for having Dave at the site in Morocco, when we were trying to set up financial support for small scale cannabis farmers. He was the kind of academic that did not mind -too much- to get his feet dirty, and was genuinely interested in the situation of people affected by stupid drug policies. Always a good laugh, always trying to make the most of it. A wonderful person to have crossed paths with. wishing his family all the strength to deal with this loss.
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2024-12-04 12:27:50 View / Comment (0)Heloisa Broggiato Matter
I met Dave ten years ago at CND and later I had the privilege of having him as my PhD supervisor. The most sophisticated professor of drug policy, the most famous and the most loved not only for his intellectual qualities but also for being a good person, nice, and funny. As a PhD student I felt like I was learning how to swim in a rough sea, but after every meeting with Dave on line or face to face I always had the impression that my swimming was getting better until the day I received my medal. A few days later we met in London and took this picture to celebrate. Dave had an amazing ability to give feedbacks and encourage me to disentangle complicated topics. He was generous, kind and patient. And he was so proud of his wife and children. He lived a happy life and his work has an important impact and he left many seeds that are already growing to improve the life of many people around the world. It's a huge loss. I hope Catherine, Poppy and Finn receive all the comfort they deserve at this difficult moment.
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2024-12-04 01:24:09 View / Comment (0)Kasia Malinowska
Dear Cath, Poppy and Finn, Since the news of Dave's passing, it's been a bit hard to take in a full breath. He was such a great colleague and friend. As a way to coping, I looked through over a decade of photos. And found him in many, from so many parts of the world. Thank you for generously sharing Dave with us all. He left a huge empty space. With much love, Kasia
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2024-12-04 00:57:20 View / Comment (0)Kasia Malinowska
With Bob Newman. Both such gentle, lovely humans.
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2024-12-04 00:50:51 View / Comment (0)Kasia Malinowska
And here in Hong Kong, again for the Drug Policy and Human Rights course, with his many students across Asia.
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2024-12-04 00:39:03 View / Comment (0)Kasia Malinowska
And more of India, with Damon and Tripti -- faculty for the Human Rights and Drug Policy course. Dave was in charge of us all! And did such a fantastic job relating to the students and us all.
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2024-12-04 00:27:05 View / Comment (0)Kasia Malinowska
This is 2012, Jodhpur, India, course of Drug Policy and Human Rights. Dave and I got to cut a ribbon during an the opening of the university cafeteria. How is that for an adventure?!
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2024-12-06 09:31:35 View / Comment (0)Rick Lines
Thinking of Dave tonight. And how hard it will be saying goodbye tomorrow. You never know how big a place a person occupies in your heart until they're gone and you're left with a hole that is impossible to fill.
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2024-12-03 20:46:12 View / Comment (0)Martin Jelsma
[From Romesh Bhattacharji] Dave was so full of life in these pictures that it is difficult to accept that he is no more. He was keen about life around him. Excited about being in new places. These pictures are memories of one trip in October 2018 I had with him and Tom Blickman to the sub Himalayan region of Kumaon in N India.
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2024-12-03 20:43:28 View / Comment (0)Martin Jelsma
[From Romesh Bhattacharji] Dave was so full of life in these pictures that it is difficult to accept that he is no more. He was keen about life around him. Excited about being in new places. These pictures are memories of one trip in October 2018 I had with him and Tom Blickman to the sub Himalayan region of Kumaon in N India.
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2024-12-03 20:42:06 View / Comment (0)Martin Jelsma
[From Romesh Bhattacharji] Dave was so full of life in these pictures that it is difficult to accept that he is no more. He was keen about life around him. Excited about being in new places. These pictures are memories of one trip in October 2018 I had with him and Tom Blickman to the sub Himalayan region of Kumaon in N India.
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2024-12-03 20:08:11 View / Comment (0)
Mat Collins
Dear Cath, Poppy and Flynn. Cath – you might not remember me but I was a friend of Dave’s from Uni undergrad in Swansea. I did come to your wedding, which was probably the last time I saw you both. Very sorry for not keeping in touch – no excuse really. Dave was a great friend at Uni and we shared many trips down the Mumbles mile to Cinderellas, trying to surf on the Gower and even just vegging in front of the telly. We became friends in the first year when I was a bit bumpkin from the sticks amongst all the cool people, which was very kind of him. Dave also did some work at times, which was a good reminder for me too do so as well. I probably have him to thank for not screwing up my degree. Poppy and Flynn – a shame we have not met. Your dad was a cool, handsome guy and a great friend. Sorry I won’t be able to make the funeral but I will be thinking of you all, and thinking of all the good times we had with Dave.
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2024-12-02 22:59:34 View / Comment (0)Dion Curry
Dave and friends/colleagues at the 2023 Swansea University School of Social Sciences Summer Ball.
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2024-12-02 22:57:47 View / Comment (0)
Dion Curry
I was lucky enough to work with Dave for the past ten years. I always appreciated the special way he had of making everybody in a room feel valued, for their contributions and just for being themselves. I really looked up to Dave and he taught me a lot about how to be a better academic and a better human being. I can only hope to be able to live up to the kindness, humour and strength of character he showed everyone around him (although I might wear shoes at least a little more regularly).
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2024-12-01 23:06:07 View / Comment (0)Martin Jelsma
Dave and me five years ago at one of the events we organized to promote fairtrade options for the cannabis market
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2024-12-01 22:13:50 View / Comment (0)Martin Jelsma
Dear Cath, Poppy and Fynn, dear colleagues and friends, Over the more than two decades that I’ve known Dave, he became a close and trusted friend. One of those few you feel you can share anything with, workwise as well as private matters. We’ve written papers together, travelled together, organized meetings together, brainstormed together, laughed together and made wild plans – many of them still unfinished business. In the picture, behind the candle, is a beer glass I stole from the ‘Eisvogel’ restaurant (‘Kingfisher’ or ‘Pescador Martin’) in Vienna where we met several times over the years to plot about options for drug treaty reform and fairtrade cannabis. We still gathered there this March to prepare a joint seminar in Amsterdam planned for June, but by then Dave was already no longer able to attend in person. Next to the candle is the picture Ann sent to me from abroad in 2012, the moment when she first told Dave about our developing relationship, still in an early stage at the time. Dave was one of the first people to hear, immediately calming our worries about sharing the news by saying: “It’s the best news ever. Two of my favourite people in love!” As abundantly clear from many other messages, Dave has had a huge impact in the drug policy field, and will continue to do so thanks to his prolific writing. He served as an important bridge between academia, advocacy and activism, worlds that are often too far apart. Dave’s reputation as a scholar and teacher was as solid as the trust he earned in the drug policy reform movement for his commitment to the struggle for change. Drug policy for Dave was never just an interesting research topic, he wanted his work to have a real impact. He challenged his academic colleagues to translate analysis into recommendations for policy change, just as he tried to keep his civil society colleagues close to the evidence and away from easy ideological positioning. Dave’s different hats as a Swansea University professor, GDPO director, IDPC consultant, TNI Fellow, and others, were not always easy to combine. But he still made sure to make time to join key events and share his knowledge with anyone who asked for it, and to travel including to places like Colombia, Afghanistan, India or Morocco to not loose sight of drug war realities on the ground. I will dearly miss Dave’s friendship and wisdom, and the only things that soothe my sadness are the many good memories and the confidence that his legacy will live on. With love, Martin
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2024-12-01 03:04:47 View / Comment (0)
Ross Eventon
My deepest condolences to Cath, Poppy and Fynn. I first met Dave in 2014. He was my friend and colleague for just over a decade, and I feel lucky and privileged to have known him. Although I would never have told him in person – he had enough going for him already – he was one of the most impressive people I have ever met. He was as sharp as they come, and had the dangerous combination of looks, intelligence, accolades and accomplishments that might have pushed a smaller person towards arrogance and self-importance, but I firmly believe Dave was physiologically incapable of feeling superior to another human being. In his professional life he encouraged and helped others entirely naturally, without any pretense or concern for a favour in return. He was a walking testament to the multi-purpose uses of the open-toed sandal. He knew people from all across the world and took pride in his work and that of his friends; I recognise many of the names here not because we have met but because Dave took so much pleasure in talking about them. You only had to spend five minutes in his company to know how immensely proud he was of his family, and how much he loved them. His mind was remarkably curious and active. When we spoke after his surgery he explained the illness and described the procedure with the erudition of a final year medical student. He seemed more concerned about Cath, Poppy and Fynn than what that punishing experience had meant for his body. Some time before, a mutual friend had asked him for a recommendation letter at the last minute and Dave, generous as ever regardless of the circumstances, made sure it was one of the last things he worked on before he entered surgery. What can you say about a person like that? He was as good, as kind, as funny, as uplifting a friend as anyone could ask for. He was the same Dave – witty, full of life and smiling – whether we were sat with a coffee and a bacon sandwich on Langland beach, or being detained at 2am by the Colombian military on a road in the middle of nowhere. I will miss him more than I am able to express. It’s an old cliché, but it still seems impossible to talk about him in the past tense. I can only echo the sentiment someone else wrote on here: What a man.
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2024-11-29 13:58:56 View / Comment (0)
Virginia Comolli
What sad sad news...I first met Dave 12-13 years ago and it was immediately apparent to me what a lovely human being he was, in addition to being a true master of his subject matter. His kindness, good humour and generosity with remain with me. Among other engagements, we co-wrote an article on modernising drug law enforcement and I felt very fortunate to be able to learn from Dave. Every time we spoke I was struck by his commitment to doing good and wanting to progress issues. And everything was done with a smile on his face. I wish we had interacted more in recent years, I will certainly miss him. Sending my love and condolences to his family, of whom Dave was so proud.
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2024-11-29 13:04:49 View / Comment (0)Martin H-E
Dave. I’ve been thinking all week about what to say here, and the result it this rather ham-fisted attempt. You changed my life, but you already knew that. I – quite literally – wouldn’t be where I am today without your help, guidance, and encouragement. I know many feel similarly. You taught me nuance (this is no place for that) and intellectual caution. You gifted me so many opportunities that were so generous, and typically selfless. There’s just too much owed, and too few words. On a personal level, I’ll miss my mate so much. You were like an (often disapproving) uncle to me. It is no overstatement to say that outside of my family, you were the most consequential person in my life. The four years we spent sharing the GDPO office will never leave me. The gossip, the curry lunches (half rice/half chips), rugby, cars, watches, our countless ‘in’ jokes, our shared sense of humour, our endless penchant for anecdotes, your ironclad insistence on taking the lift not the stairs, our shared annoyance of power and bureaucracy, your perennial refusal to wear a tie, the ‘only way is ethics’, your flip-flops in inappropriate weather, the bin mountain, toothbrush in your pen holder, no coffee after 3pm… It goes on. I always enjoyed catching up with you about Fynn or Poppy’s activities at the weekend (of whom you were so proud), hearing your tales of travel and surfing, and just generally being in your presence. When you were first diagnosed, I told you that I loved you. I meant it. Typical of you, you managed to find humour in the situation “If this goes south” you said “you can do my eulogy”, to which I replied ‘we both know I’d be late’, and you immediately came back with “we both know we’d both be late”. How you could be so funny when things were so serious is beyond me, and just typical of your indomitable character. Your last message was ‘let’s try and catch up soon’, and I will forever regret that we never did quite manage to share a bar again. On a professional level, you took a chance on me. I learned global drug policy from the master, and observing you also taught me greater humility, how to supervise, how to teach, and how to guide. You were a paragon of self-discipline, an expert at diplomacy, the master of nuance, and a shining example of what dedication really looks like. No drug policy reading list is complete unless it is at least 50% Dave B-T. 56 is far, far too young and just absolutely so totally unfair. Nevertheless, you achieved more in that lifetime and left a wake of influence that very few people could even get close to, even in two lifetimes. You were – and are – a legend. You brought the kids to the office once and I asked Poppy if she knew what you did for a living. She was unsure. I said “he changes the world for the better”. I was probably understating it. Never has a man achieved so much, yet remained so humble and down to earth. I’ll forever miss you Dave, and just feel so incredibly sad for Cath, Poppy, and Fynn. The hole you leave in so many lives, on so many different planes, and on every continent, is absolutely enormous. God Speed Dave, thank you.
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2024-11-28 21:43:04 View / Comment (0)
Craig Reinarman
What a tragic loss. I met Dave many years ago at a conference and we became fast friends. I so admired his scholarship and his many contributions to the field of drug policy, but I will miss his friendship the most. When I got bladder cancer, Dave was a kind and gracious mentor to me. I had the privilege of meeting Cath, Poppy, and Fynn only once at their lovely home in Wales, but it still occupies a warm spot in my heart. Dave was mensch all the way down. The world is less for his passing but greater for the too brief time we had with him. Craig Reinarman
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2024-11-28 16:28:43 View / Comment (0)Niamh Eastwood
Cath, Poppy and Fynn I am so sorry, it is still really hard to process what has happened. Dave was exceptional, he was ridiculously clever, kind, funny, patient, and he was also incredibly humble. I remember when he contacted me in 2012 about his new book with the opening line of “So, and seriously now, what would the deal be with you running a book launch for me?” (I work for Release, we had done a book launch before). I was obviously honoured and delighted that he trusted us with this important event, and we started chatting about venues and speakers – with Dave constantly saying “they’d never agree”, and me saying “of course they would”. I honestly think that sometimes Dave didn’t realise how brilliant and important his work was. We ended up having the book launch at Chatham House, with the Colombian and Mexican Ambassadors’ on a panel with Dave to present his book – I think he enjoyed it! Over the years I didn’t see Dave as much as I would have liked -something I really regret – but when we did meet up, it was usually for a beer and gossip, and then we would put the world to right. He was so respected and loved in the drug policy movement, and he will be so missed. Sending love and condolences, Niamh.
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2024-11-28 12:01:31 View / Comment (0)
Patrick Shortis
Deeply shocked and saddened to hear this news. David was a kind, good-humoured and thoughtful man and a towering intellect of drug policy who never made you feel small. Dave changed my life irrevocably as I'm sure he did for so many others. In 2012, fresh out of my undergrad, he provided me the opportunity to write about my subject for the GDPO. He then continued providing those opportunities regularly as I progressed throughout my academic journey. Almost every paper I've ever written was through a publication venue Dave found for me. Yet he did all of this without meeting me in person, that didn't happen until 2018, where we bumped into each other at a conference. I was struck by how he warm and kind he was, this person who had been instrumental to opening doors for me as a total stranger. There wasn't any academic pomposity, just a wicked grin and sharp wit. We had a great time at the conference, talking and laughing over the next couple of days. I was a fresh face at these things and nervous and he put me at my ease and introduced me to people. He then arranged for me to join him and Martin at the CND in 2020 and wrote a piece with me for the IDPC the same year. A few weeks ago I was talking with a colleague who I co-wrote many of the GDPO pieces with. We were reminiscing about how young we were, the risk Dave had taken with us, and how they launched our careers in our field. We agreed we'd get in touch with him to thank him and write something new for the GDPO. Although we didn't get that chance, I'll say it here. Thank you, Dave, for everything. I hope you know the profound impact you had on both of us, and on so many others as evidenced in the memories shared here. Rest in peace
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2024-11-28 11:52:05 View / Comment (0)Tom Kramer
With Dave and TNI colleagues in the village of Malana in Himachal Pradesh in north India – famous for its ‘Malana Cream’ – in 2014 on invitation of our friend Romesh. Earlier Dave and Tom B presented on cannabis in a regional drug policy dialogue in Delhi. It was of many meetings where Dave joined us, but this trip was definitively very interesting - and hilarious. It has been fantastic to work with Dave – can’t believe he is not with us anymore. We will dearly miss him, his dedication to drug policy reform, his friendship and his great sense of humor! Tom & Pann Ei
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2024-11-28 11:04:12 View / Comment (0)Marie Nougier
Dave was one of the first people I met when I joined IDPC. I was very young and knew absolutely nothing about drug policy. After a crazy CND where I met Dave for the first time (mostly at the VIC bar and OSF receptions!), I then mostly worked with him on key IDPC reports, and on organising many (too many!) events at the UN on indicators - both Dave and I were obsessed with metrics and indicators. I remember being in complete awe of his thoughtful analysis of major drug policy events, although he did drive me absolutely nuts as he pretty much missed every single deadline and tended to write in such a flourished way that I made a habit of counting how many lines long one sentence written by Dave could be (I think I reached 7 at some point)! All this aside, Dave has always been a joy to work with, a walking encyclopaedia on international drug policy, an incredible mentor, a reliable colleague, and of course, a wonderful friend. Working with him on the Global Drug Policy Index has been one of the highlights of my career. The news about his cancer was devastating. But we stayed in touch regularly throughout. A month before his passing, Dave was still contacting me to let me know he'd for sure write not one, but two papers for IDPC very soon! There are no words to convey how much I'm going to miss him. Sending you love and strength dear Cath, Poppy and Fynn
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2024-11-28 11:00:02 View / Comment (0)Heather Haase
I still can't believe this is true- still processing this massive loss to the movement and all who knew & loved Dave. It's hard to imagine CND (or really, global drug policy overall) without him here. Dave gave me and so many others huge opportunities without giving it a second thought - ever since that first CEU summer program in 2011 (where I couldn't believe that "the" Dave Bewley-Taylor was a member of the faculty!), I always knew him as someone who would share his (insanely immense) knowledge generously - he was always encouraging, especially to new people - when it came to the treaties, if you wanted to learn he was willing to teach. I remember being so star struck by him (as we all were)- but from his humble personality & self-deprecating humor you would never know he was such a massive drug policy superstar (and that is really an understatement). He was an inspiration to us all, and I'll always be grateful for his mentorship, scholarship, generosity and leadership in this movement. My heart breaks for his family and close friends - much, much love to you all. I'm so very sorry for this terrible loss.xxox
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2024-11-28 11:08:57 View / Comment (0)Ann Fordham
Dave with the IDPC Team (Jamie Bridge, Marie Nougier, Ann Fordham and Gloria Lai) in summer 2016. He attended the IDPC Board meeting that year.
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2024-11-28 06:41:42 View / Comment (0)Scott Bernstein
I met Dave in 2013 in Budapest at the Drug Policy and Human Rights course at Central European University. He was one of the great instructors who would go on to be an influence to me in my own drug policy journey. Over the years, our paths crossed often, at CND or other places where drug policy nerds congregate. Dave was not only brilliant, but had an amazing sense of humour and ease explaining ideas and sometimes arguing his point in a heated debate. Picture is one I took of Dave at UNGASS 2016, having a conversation with Prof. Harry Levine.
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2024-11-27 23:10:37 View / Comment (0)Karen Laidler
Dave you are greatly missed in Hong Kong. We all have great memories of your visits, your energy and warmth. Thinking of you Karen Leona Velda and Katie
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2024-11-27 21:47:37 View / Comment (0)
FARID GHEHIOUECHE
What a very sad new. I can't believe it, so awful to realize it. He was a genuine great man, very humble and dedicated to his duty to change the scope of drug policies. I spent so many hours next to him in the little room upstairs the plenary at the CND in Vienna, unfortunately both too concentrate on what was happening (even if it was mainly the same litany of speeches each year), and now I regret that I didn't spend enough time outside in a friendship manner. I really feel a great loss and I'd like to express not only in my personnal name, but also on behalf of ENCOD and many other organisations that we will miss him so much, as he passed away too young, too quick, too early. Alll my/our condolences to his family, his friends and relatives. David will remain in a very special place in our mind and heart.
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2024-11-27 19:38:28 View / Comment (0)
Hilde Laeremans
Dear Dave... 'How are you and how is Swansea these days?' was one of my favorite phrases for the last couple of years. Next to emails, we had many chats. Most of them on issues related to my PhD, but never without a nice personal chat and always with a brilliant sense of humor. You talked about your lovely family and questioned about my little girl. She was only 8 months old when she first met you, after I had traveled by car from Brussels and had to propose my research topic to you, whom I had never met before, Rick and the head of department. I was so nervous, alongside Rick, you made me feel comfortable and you were highly interested in my research topic, but you sure made it clear that you expected high research standards. As I was not a typical student, but someone from abroad, non English native speaker and I had to combine my work with research and being a mum, things weren't always easy. Besides the fact that I was more than overwhelmingly impressed with your work, you never forgot to take time to give your advice on mine, to get me back on track, when things were a bit hard or to push forward my thoughts. You were the one who believed in my work and progress, I do feel lost now... I want to give you my sincere thanks for all of the opportunities you have given me and for all of the knowledge I have gained, for believing that I could make it and for introducing me to very important people, in such a pleasant way. Not many people have the capacity to make you feel proud, at moments where you in fact feel humble. Not many academics, with such a repertoire, can make you feel like you make an important contribution, when you actually feel small. 'A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself': I think this brings it to the point. To Dave's beautiful family: I am so sorry about your loss! My thoughts are with you. The last time I saw Dave, in Vienna this year, he apologized for not staying the entire week. While drinking a coffee and chatting about life he said 'you know, there is no better place like home, I just wanna be with my wife, kids and dog.' 'slaapwel', as we say in Flemish! Take care and enjoy your walks, Dave.
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2024-11-27 17:45:48 View / Comment (0)
Coletta Youngers
It is hard to find the words to express how I feel. I started my international drug policy journey with Dave by my side - he, Mike and Gabor had just gotten IDPC going and brought me onto the team. I've lost track of the number of CND's that we were both at - and how many endless hours all of us (including most of the folks who have posted her) spent in that awful VIC bar! Dave also came to Washington, DC a few times to visit. There was one memorable trip when he came with Cath, Poppy and Finn, and we spent the day together in DC. Poppy and Finn were probably too young to remember this, but somewhere I have pictures of you surrounded by butterflies in a butterfly garden in one of the museums. My heart goes out to all three of you. Dave made his mark on the world, and he will be missed around the world. Sending hugs to everyone, Coletta
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2024-11-27 12:38:25 View / Comment (0)David Mansfield
Kabul 2012 - better times, good friends, and great food, and Dave at the head of the Table, as handsome as ever!;)
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2024-11-26 21:19:02 View / Comment (0)
This is such sad news. Dave was always kind, energetic and fun. He talked so lovingly about his family, his home and surfing. He really seemed to master working on the tough issues while having a sunny personality. He will be missed, really sorry to hear this. Xoxo Summer
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2024-11-26 16:47:45 View / Comment (0)David Mansfield
So hard to believe, and such a loss to his family, colleagues, and many friends, Dave really was one of the good guys. He was as bright as they come, so incredibly good natured (even when really pressed;)) and up for almost any adventure (still looking for the pictures from Afghanistan). I never saw him enough but always greatly enjoyed whatever time we had together. Hope to catch you in a bar somewhere in the next life Dave! Thoughts are with Cath, Poppy and Fynn.
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2024-11-26 15:06:29 View / Comment (0)Matthew Wilson
Dave at the horse races in Hong Kong. It’s hard to put Dave into word. He was generous with his colleagues and students, passionate for his scholarship, committed to his allies, and one of the most enjoyable companions to travel with. I was fortunate to work with Dave on developing and delivering drug policy courses in India, Hong Kong, and Macau (where he was joined by his wonderful daughter, Poppy). Like so many here, I considered him a mentor and friend. His passing has weighed on me heavily these past days. We were fortunate to travel in life’s journey with him, he’s gone way too soon, and his memory will live inside many of us for decades to come. To all who knew and loved Dave, I’m sending my condolences, strength, and peace.
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2024-11-26 12:43:48 View / Comment (0)
Juan Fernandez
I first met Dave before he met me, as I frantically prepared my degree’s final dissertation and his work on the global drug control regime shone the way. In one of those funny twists of fate, when I finally made my first steps in drug policy reform, the legend from the journal articles materialised into an inimitable colleague. Over the next decade or so, I was fortunate to share a cause and a team with Dave. Whether it was in the corridors of the UN HQ in Vienna, strategising on the future of drug policy reform at IDPC meetings, or brainstorming on change-making research, he had a sharp mind and an even warmer heart. His smile was genuine and lit up the room. Contrary to the archetype of the ‘ivory tower’ academic, Dave was a generous thinker who understood everything worthwhile is done with others. He never let his brilliance and academic prowess cast a shadow on his humanity. In fact, the opposite was true. His intellectual exploration powered his commitment to greater justice. And he built earnestly in that direction, with a knack for collaboration that made him an amazing colleague, friend, and mentor. To Cath, Fynn and Poppy, and all his loved ones — my heart goes to you all, in the sadness of his departure and in celebration of an incredible person whose towering legacy will continue to make ripples for years to come. Juan
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2024-11-26 10:38:44 View / Comment (0)
Gloria Lai
I remember that over 10 years ago when i started working with IDPC and joining the annual CND sessions in Vienna, that Dave used wake up really early to go for a run before going to the CND for the day. He was one of the few that inspired me to start running :) I remember a fun dinner together with Chris Hallam in Vienna at another CND, bumping into Dave at the Vienna airport and him inviting me to join him for a beer, and agreeing to help me by joining a meeting with a hostile government in Asia. He was a super supportive friend and mentor, down-to-earth, humble, kind and often ready to make other people laugh and feel at ease. He is a treasure.
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2024-11-25 21:02:33 View / Comment (0)
Rachel Wright
It was on my first trip to the UN in Vienna that I met Dave. I had heard all about him from my partner Mike Trace, who had abandoned me for the evening to go to some grand function. I found the aforementioned soulless UN bar and got talking to someone who someone else called Dave. “So, you’re the Dave Bewley-Taylor” I said to him. He laughed and took me under his wing for the evening - we went to a bar in the park in Vienna with the big wheel and it felt so Third Man-ish that we pretended to be spies – he had a spot of mischief about him. As everyone else has testified Dave was one of the cleverest, funniest, and least pompous people I have met. And he wanted to change the world without being worthy or martyrish. We met him for lunch on the Welsh coast and he had us in stitches telling us about his treatment – and that was about his cancer. I cannot believe such a vital man is no longer here (and I agree with Mike about the George Clooney-ness). I’m so, so sorry Cath, Poppy and Fynn. This world is so unfair. We are all thinking about you. xx
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2024-11-25 20:09:30 View / Comment (0)Jamie Bridge
I feel so lucky to have worked with Dave over the years, and to have seen first hand how big a part of this movement he is. At the UN meetings, he was a rock - a solid and dependable source of knowledge, wisdom, advice, humour, conspiracy, micky-taking, rebellion and empathy depending on which of those was most needed each time! It is so rare to be able to provide, and be remembered for, all those things - and this whole movement now has a DBT-shaped hole that we will never be able to fill. He made it back to Vienna for this meeting in 2024, and it was so lovely to have him lighting up the bland UN corridors (and bar!) one last time. I worked with Dave on a lot of projects, most recently the Global Drug Policy Index - an idea which was born in his head, bounced around in there for about a decade, before we were able to help make it reality. Throughout, he was just the perfect colleague. He would always compliment me and others for the parts we played while simultaneously making sure we stayed in our box when it came to the more academic bits! But we did it - we made it happen, and another small part of Dave's massive legacy was secured. Thank you so much Dave.
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2024-11-25 19:35:51 View / Comment (2)
Benoît Gomis
I first met Dave at a Chatham House event that my colleague Claire Yorke and I organized back in 2012. Claire and I were new in this field, and Dave welcomed us with open arms. He was incredibly kind and supportive, patiently walking us through basics and complexities we didn’t understand. More importantly, he was fun to be around, bringing a big smile to everyone’s face, from a Latin American Ambassador to a Scottish police officer or our catering staff. He was always present, genuinely enthralled in the conversations he was having, from personal stories about his family he cherished to the intricacies of some obscure UN treaty requirement. If Maya Angelou is right in saying “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”, I know that his legacy will live on forever. My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.❤️
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2024-11-25 19:35:29 View / Comment (0)MIKE TRACE
Don't remember exactly what was going on here, but from the wall decorations, I am guessing Athens.
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2024-11-26 16:39:57 View / Comment (0)
Dr Christopher Hallam
I first met Dave in the flesh at the inception of the International Drug Policy Consortium, IDPC, some time in the late noughties. Although I was at that time a complete innocent in the world of international drug control and the UN agencies that structure it, he treated me with the utmost kindness and respect. I would go on to learn from him the pathways down which to negotiate this mysterious domain. Sharing flats as colleagues in Vienna and other continental cities, we quickly became fast friends, working together, talking, eating, walking and laughing together. I was impressed with Dave’s extensive drug policy knowledge, and greedily syphoned up as much of it as I could. I was equally impressed with his humility and told him once that he wore his learning lightly. ‘It’s easy to wear it lightly, ‘he replied, ‘when there’s not much of it.’ This is not true, but for his many friends, is perhaps a typical nugget of his richly self-deprecating humour. Much hilarity accompanied our evenings in Vienna, much of which I cannot repeat here, but I value the memories of it as much I do his books and papers, some of which I'm proud to say we wrote together. Dave seemed to know everyone in the Drug Control apparatus and the NGOs and academies critical of it – but would also speak warmly of his wife and kids. His family life was precious to him, his wife Cath and his kids Poppy and Fynn. Even more than the rest of us, they will miss Dave Bewley-Taylor.
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2024-11-25 16:26:04 View / Comment (0)Luca Trenta
Departmental Wear a Football Shirt to work day 2023.
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2024-11-25 15:57:09 View / Comment (1)
Julia Buxton
The talented Professor Dave BT: world renowned scholar, outstanding pedagogue, meticulous, curious, incisive, entrepreneurial – so many attributes and skills to value, admire and to learn from. He once asked me to help him with some teaching in Budapest. It put me on a new career and life path. In the years since, we laughed a lot, went to many places, and I took too few pictures. Every day was a school day with Dave, always a new challenge, opening, or opportunity to make this a better and more dignified world … people to connect to other people, things to do and write, places to be. And amid all the busyness and no matter where we were working or meeting, he was always looking forward to getting home to Cath and the ‘kids’ – and his updates on the progress of Fynn and ‘Pops’ through GCSEs, sporting achievements, A levels, college and university choices, and most recently and with much pride, the Gower Peninsula Mighty Hike for Macmillan Cancer Support. Dave was collaborative, collegial, and he cared. He combined compassion and decency with a sharp analytical mind and vast reserves of energy to advocate and educate for necessary change and justice. He moved seamlessly through the diverse constituencies and complexities of drug research and policy at home and overseas. Literally friends, students and colleagues on every continent. Aside from Mahatma Gandhi, no individual will ever stride the world stage so confidently and authoritatively in open toe sandals as Dave. A mentor, an inspiration and a much valued and generous friend. It was a privilege to know Cath's husband and Fynn and Poppy's dad.
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2024-11-25 12:05:58 View / Comment (0)
Alex Stevens
This is such a loss to the field of drug policy studies, as well as the tragic loss for Dave's family and friends. Dave was a true pioneer in the study of international drug policy. His careful and engaging scholarship, his skill in communicating it, and his passion for better, more humane and effective policies shone through his writing, teaching and the many brilliant presentations he gave at international events. This week at the University of Sheffield, we are teaching his work to a new generation of students, eager to learn from the best in the field. Dave's work is referenced in all the readings we recommend. I cite him every time I write about international drug policy. The conversations we had shaped my thinking on these topics, and I'm sure that's true for countless other people. His work will live on.
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2024-11-25 10:22:27 View / Comment (0)Gerard Clarke
Dave’s departmental colleagues in Swansea University are devasted by his death and will miss him dearly. We send our deepest sympathies to Cath and all the family. In photo below (from January 2019): Front Row (L to R): Emel Akcali, Gerard Clarke, Mark Evans & Roland Axtmann Second Row: Dion Curry & Eugene Miakinkov (left); Gerry Oram & Krijn Peters (right) Third Row: Paddy McQueen, Cahir O’Doherty, Dennis Schmidt, Dave, Alan Collins & James Wakefield; Fourth Row: Luca Trenta, Rob Bideleux, David Anderson, Themis Chronopoulos, Matt Wall & Jonatan Bradbury.
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2024-11-25 19:34:28 View / Comment (0)
MIKE TRACE
So, so sorry Cath, Poppy and Fynn. It is so cruel to lose such a special person so young. As others have said, Dave has been a massive presence for hundreds of people around the world, and one of the reasons he has had such respect is the evident love he had for his family, and the pride he showed in his kids as they grew into adulthood. Right back in the early 2000’s, when we were all trying to work out exactly what was wrong with global drug policy, and what good people could do about it, I learnt so much from Dave. No fanfare, just good research and good sense delivered with class and warmth. Dave had high level professional respect, but was also the best company when work was done. We all got great strength from his ability to put some of the bombast and pomposity of the international politics in its place with a well aimed piss take or a story from Pennard. We remember fondly that hike down Samaria Gorge which became the birth (or, more accurately, the conception – get that image out of your mind) of the International Drug Policy Consortium. But less remembered is our decision the day before to go for a quick dip in the sea in the lunch break of Thanasis Apostolou’s drug policy summit. Back then, I thought I was pretty healthy, but I had to turn back for a lie down when it became apparent that Dave’s idea of a quick dip was a mile long fast swim to the headland and back. Handsome, clever, and incredibly fit – really annoying. He also claimed to be a skilled surfer, but to be honest all I witnessed was him sitting on the horizon for hours waiting for a wave, so I will have to take his word on that one. As he battled cancer with characteristic calm and humour, I checked in from time to time to hear the ups and downs and offer useless advice. Simple leisurely chats over pints at the pub in Rhosilli, (weirdly) the hotel opposite Swansea prison, and the King Arthur in Reynoldston, now take on deep meaning. Indeed, a lovely late summer evening at the King Arthur is the last time I saw him, and I will remember it fondly – conscious of the battle he was fighting, but looking like George Clooney, laughing like a drain, and dismantling the hypocrites – he was on great form. You guys must know how Dave was important to many people in so many places. He certainly had a deep impact on my life and work. What a man.
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2024-11-24 20:36:19 View / Comment (0)
Diego Garcia
Dave was one of those scholars who valued fieldwork, showing a genuine interest in understanding issues on the ground. His ethical and respectful attitude made him highly regarded in Colombia and a true friend of this country. Gracias hermano!
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2024-11-24 19:58:39 View / Comment (0)
Dear Dave, I was deeply saddened to hear of your passing. Throughout our diverse roles and perspectives, I always appreciated your constructive attitude and the respect you showed for each other role. We knew our boundaries, but you consistently turned discussions into constructive dialogues, helping us find common ground, especially in promoting data and evidence to inform drug policy. A big, warm hug, Dave. I will miss your annual feedback on the World Drug Report.
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2024-11-23 18:34:33 View / Comment (0)
Joe Whittaker
Dave, thank you for being such an amazing person throughout the years. I'll always remember your kindness and generosity and how you went out of your way to look out for younger scholars. You always tried to help and you were always encouraging. Rest in peace, you'll be deeply missed.
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2024-11-23 18:08:53 View / Comment (0)Fifa A Rahman
I don’t want to believe it. A towering intellect and a very sweet man - who told me that he “knew” I would make it. What a loss.
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2024-11-23 14:55:19 View / Comment (1)Rick Lines
One of my favourite CND pics. The UN bar in Vienna (where we all spent so much time). Dave with Julie, Martin, Elie and Damon,
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2024-11-23 14:32:01 View / Comment (0)Rick Lines
Dave was always a popular guest lecturer in my drug policy course at Swansea. I always thought this photo summed up his work so well
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2024-11-22 22:12:56 View / Comment (0)
Maria-Goretti Ane
Dave, you were such a kind and amazing colleague whose generosity and brilliance touched everyone you met. I was so fortunate to benefit from your rich knowledge and expertise in the drug policy space. Dave faced every challenge with creativity and always had a solution to offer. Your willingness to share and help will remain an inspiration. Dave, your sudden departure hurts deeply. I pray you find everlasting rest with your maker. Rest in peace, Dave—you will be deeply missed. Maria-Goretti , Ghana
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John Walsh
John Walsh
Yes, that water looks cold, but those waves might be ridable!
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