Professor Peter Warr 1937–2023

Peter Warr was a world-leading academic who significantly contributed to the development of the field of Occupational Psychology and was co-founder of the internationally renowned Social and Applied Psychology Unit (SAPU) at Sheffield University. Peter spent the majority of his academic career in Sheffield, joining in 1961 after completing his BA at the University of Cambridge.

In 1968, when SAPU was founded, Peter became Assistant Director and was appointed Director in 1973, for which he subsequently secured co-funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). He led SAPU until 1996, whilst bringing in more than £40m of research funding. His leadership of SAPU, in turn, provided the foundation for the formation of the Institute of Work Psychology in 1994, of which he remained a highly valued member (and well into his 'retirement').

As Director of SAPU, Peter introduced the MSc in Occupational Psychology in 1975, which continues today in Sheffield University Management School with more than 500 graduates. He also provided the infrastructure for over 100 psychologists to complete their PhDs, and was instrumental in launching the careers of so many people now in senior academic and practitioner positions in the UK and overseas.

Peter made a huge academic contribution through his research, particularly in relation to defining and understanding the contributors to mental well-being and happiness in the workplace. Working with SHL, his research also examined keys questions in the areas of personality, values, work motivation, work engagement and the relationship between age and work behaviour. His research has influenced the work of both academics and practitioners in the field. He published over 25 books and over 200 refereed articles and chapters, contributing regularly to the leading international journals. He was known and respected throughout the academic world, receiving the rare accolade of being given all three major awards for scholarship made by the British Psychological Society (BPS): the early career Spearman Medal for distinguished research (1969); the mid-career President's Award for outstanding contributions to psychological knowledge (1983); and the full career award of a BPS Honorary Fellowship for major contributions to the development of psychology (1997).

Within the wider community, Peter provided invaluable service to many organisations including the BPS (Scientific Affairs Board); the UK Research Councils (MRC Neurosciences and Mental Health Board, ESRC Council); and governmental and international agencies (HEFCE RAE Psychology Panel, Department of Health, and World Health Organisation). He was Editor of the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Associate Editor of the British Journal of Psychology and played editorial roles in 15 other journals. 

Despite his significant achievements, his colleagues remember him as someone who was approachable, supportive, inspirational and full of boundless curiosity. Peter would always make time to discuss research matters with others and use his incisive intellect to help academics at all levels (especially early career researchers) progress their work in constructive ways. He will be greatly missed.

- Find Peter's contributions across our website.