Recognising a trailblazer; celebrating a colleague; thanking a friend

Abstract

This editorial eulogy recognises the work of Dr Ruth Mann (1965-2020), a friend, colleague, mentor, pioneer and trailblazer in forensic psychology in the UK and internationally. Our field has lost an influential psychologist who paved the way for more humane and effective services for people at the centre of our research and practice, exemplifying the attributes of both the highly skilled scientist and sensitive clinician. We hope that through acknowledging Ruth's enormous contributions and many talentsher super-sharp brain, her compelling communication skills, her interest always in seeking collaboration, her kindness in sharing insights and genuine joy in developing the skills of others, her enduring commitment to try and do the right thingwe can encourage others to continue on the path that she has so clearly set out for us. Ruth began her career as a prison psychologist at a time when the world knew little about how to help men with sexual convictions towards lives free of offending. Ruth led a systematic programme of work to develop ways of working with this group of men that followed the evidence base, was aligned with emerging best practices elsewhere in the world and was subject to ongoing challenge and scrutiny. Her commitment to research was evident from the start of her career and continued throughoutseeing her publish in excess of 80 publications (many of these papers are listed on the ResearchGate website which notes that her work has been read by nearly 40,000 people). Her publications include collaborations with some of the other leading people in our field including