Emma was the first courseware designer appointed by CLIVE in 1993. In making the appointment, we asked for samples of work and Emma’s stood out for its creativity. We were so delighted with her flair that we just assumed Emma had programming skills and were somewhat dismayed when Emma declared she had a complete "block" about mathematics. We needn't have worried - explaining variables and arrays in terms of shoe-boxes solved the problem! Emma learnt fast and was both ingenious and determined. These were the hallmarks throughout Emma’s five years with us. When combined with enthusiasm and an outgoing personality, it is easy to see why Emma was such a positive force in the project.
Not only did Emma produce excellent courseware, still used by thousands of veterinary students and practitioners world-wide, she also wrote articles and designed our first website and the first websites of the University of Edinburgh Medical School and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. Nationally, learning technology was rapidly gaining wide uptake and Emma was the first editor of ALT-N and received numerous invitations to speak on web and courseware design. She had a deep commitment to her work and I recall late-night sessions with pizzas as Emma struggled to make a product that was already good, perfect.
Most of all though, Emma had the ability to make friends.Emma died of cancer on 5th February 2004. She was 36. Emma kept a blog of her progress at http://mayibefrank.typepad.com, which touched all who read it - it is courageous, funny and stylish and perfectly illustrated why it was that we count ourselves lucky to have worked with Emma and in having her count us amongst her friends.
Gill McConnell, 12th February 2004