In Memory of Jim Horne

It is with deep sadness but utmost admiration that we reflect on the life of Professor Jim Horne, Emeritus Professor of Psychophysiology at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (formerly Human Sciences) at Loughborough University, and Honorary Professor at Leicester University, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour.

Jim established and led one of the UKs premier sleep centres – the Loughborough Sleep Research Centre – from 1980 until his retirement. For 15 years (1991-2006), he was the (Founding) Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sleep Research, the publication for the European Sleep Research Society providing the foundation for the success of the journal today. His substantial achievements in sleep and circadian science were recognised through Fellowships of the Royal Society of Medicine, the British Psychological Society, and the Royal Society of Biology, alongside the award of Doctor of Science (DSc) by the University of London.

Jim was a pioneer in sleep and circadian science, recognised by all as one of the ‘giants’ of sleep research. Among his many contributions to the field, his creative exploration into ‘why we sleep’ uncovered the benefit of sleep to the brain – particularly the prefrontal cortex – paving the way for a new era in sleep and cognitive science. In 1995, his seminal article in the British Medical Journal highlighted the causes and characteristics of fall asleep motor vehicle crashes, preceding two decades of ground-breaking research targeting driver sleepiness. His evidence-based recommendations for managing driver sleepiness transformed road safety in the UK and worldwide, and for this, he was a worthy co-recipient of the 2007 Queen’s Anniversary Prize awarded for excellence, innovation, and public benefit in ‘reducing road traffic deaths; vehicle, road and driver safety research’.
Jim was once referred to as the “experts’ expert” and he was. His knowledge of sleep knew no boundaries as evidenced through more than 200 academic publications, popular science writings, and authored books including ‘Why we sleep’, ‘Sleeplessness’, and ‘Sleepfaring’. He thrived on academic debate and offered a unique perspective to many scientific arguments. In addition to his brilliance, Jim will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, humility, and humour. He shared his knowledge willingly, giving so much of his time and wisdom to the advancement of sleep research but more importantly to the people working within it. I am incredibly fortunate to be one of those people, and like many others, will remain forever thankful for his knowledge and inspiration, his enduring guidance and support, and above all his friendship.

Jim and his exceptional mind will be sorely missed, but his legacy will remain.

To get a peak on his impact beyond the academic realm in public engagement, you may read to some of his popular articles on the Psycologists and listen to Jim’s contribution for the Olympic Games organisation Athlete365 project (link of the video below).