Tribute to Rae Harbird

Working with Rae through the development of the IEP and teaching together on the EE/CS Challenge was always a pleasure. I have met few educators so committed to supporting students and with such a connection to both the students and the subject. Her passion for opening up coding will be a great legacy having seen the amazing impact the outreach programme she was involved in. She will be greatly missed.

"Rae was a member of my job interview panel for CS back in 2017, and even though we didn't have the opportunity to work directly together, her support and presence have been deeply appreciated. Her passing certainly leaves a void. May she rest in peace."

Rae and I didn't work together often, but almost always it would be in the context of outreach activities organised by Rae. She was such a positive force in the CS department and her loss will be felt. We can all aspire to be a bit more like Rae.

I first met Rae when working as PGTA in her lab sessions. Her engagement with and compassion towards students was apparent from the very first session I had with her. I always looked forward to chatting with her before sessions as she had such a sincere and welcoming presence. Her absence will be sorely felt throughout UCL.

We will miss you Rae.

It is incredibly hard to think that Rae is not here anymore. There are so many times I have been able to pick up the phone, or drop by to get help with things over the years, and so many wonderful happy memories of putting together (often at the last minute) summer schools and then delivering them with you. I miss Rae dearly. I miss her wisdom, ability to debug things and her quiet but persistant way of always being on the right side of history. I have learnt a great deal from Rae, not only about computer science and how to run a great summer school but also she was, and will remain, a great reminder of how to be a good person. I hope Rae knew how much she helped in in helping me have the confidence I now have to fit into computer science. May Rae rest in peace, Rae will be missed greatly, but what a legacy she leaves behind!

RIP, Rae! You will be missed by all! Deepest condolences to the family!

Rae was the kind of person the rest of us could only ever aspire to be, kind, conscientious and a pleasure to work with, were just some of her many fine qualities. She inspired a generation of girls, I particularly enjoyed hearing about her outreach work in Athena Swan meetings. Rae’s approach ensured thinking evolved, at the start of her work in response to her request to “Draw what a computer scientist looks like” the girls would draw grey haired men in white coats, following Rae’s outreach activities the girls were drawing pictures of themselves in answer to the question instead!. My deepest sympathy to Rae’s family and her many friends.

Rae was always a friendly and bright spirit in the department. Always greeted me with a friendly, reassuring smile. I cherish our many brief interactions. She clearly cared a lot about students and encouraging young people develop an interest in STEM. I managed to persuade her to appear in the staff spotlight for our staff newsletter. She was reluctant and self-effacing, but I'm glad she did it. I hope she realised how much love, care and support there was for her from her colleagues and beyond. May she be in eternal peace and may her family and loved ones always have warm memories of her.