News & Views

It is with profound sadness that we mark the news of the death of Professor Nicola T. Fear CBE, a cherished member of the SCiP Alliance community who was widely loved and respected for her work.

Nicola first engaged with the SCiP Alliance in 2016, bringing not only her world-leading expertise in military family health and wellbeing but also a characteristic warmth, clarity of thought and commitment to impact that would shape our work for the next decade. From those earliest conversations, Nicola championed the role of robust evidence in improving outcomes for children and young people in Armed Forces families. Her encouragement and intellectual leadership inspired many across our network and helped anchor the Alliance in a culture of integrity and collaboration.

Nicola played an essential role in leading the SCiP Alliance London Hub, established in December 2018. Under her leadership, the Hub became a space in which educators, researchers, and practitioners could work together to better understand and meet the needs of Service children across London’s diverse educational landscape.

Since 2020, Nicola worked closely with the Alliance to establish what would become the SCiP Alliance Impact Centre. As Research Co-Chair, she played a pivotal role in defining the Centre’s vision, governance and methodological foundations. Her contribution was not only scientific; she brought generosity, patience and a collaborative instinct that fostered confidence across academia, policy, and practice. The Impact Centre stands today as a testament to her insight, her resolve and her belief in what shared knowledge can achieve.

Her influence stretched far beyond formal roles. Many across the Alliance community will remember Nicola as someone who always made time to listen carefully, to challenge constructively, and to support generously. She approached every interaction with energy and humanity. She strengthened others.

“Nicola and I disagreed over who twisted whose arm to bring our decade-long partnership into being! We shared a commitment to genuine collaboration, both believing that our different strengths and common vision could make things better for Service children. In reality, Nicola was for me, as for so many, my constant encouragement, inspiration and friend.”

Philip Dent, Director of the SCiP Alliance

Nicola’s passing leaves a profound absence. Yet her legacy, of rigorous inquiry, compassionate leadership, and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Armed Forces families—endures in the work of the Hub she helped establish, the countless partnerships she nurtured, and the Impact Centre she helped bring into being. Most powerfully, her impact is felt by the thousands of children and families who never knew her, but whose lives are better because of her work for them. We honour her by continuing this work with the same integrity and purpose she exemplified.

Our thoughts are with her husband Dan, her children Mary and Max, and her brother Ally. We hold them, and all who had the privilege of working alongside Nicola, in our deepest sympathies.