Tribute Professor Andrew Keller

Abstract

This special issue acknowledges the seminal contribution of Professor Andrew Keller to polymer science and brings together contributions from his many colleagues and friends as a tribute to his memory. It is particularly appropriate that the Journal of Materials Science publishes such a memorial, as Andrew played a key role in the foundation and development of the Journal to its present position at the international forefront of the field. Andrew was a member of the enlightened group of Editors, chaired by Robert Cahn, which launched Journal of Materials Science in 1966. At that time, the concept of Materials Science as an integrated discipline covering the structure, properties processing and application of all materials was novel. From the outset, Andrew was responsible for nurturing and encouraging the submission of polymer papers and for ensuring appropriate refereeing, much of which he performed personally or through his group in Bristol. Given his enthusiasm and insight, many authors found their papers considerably improved by the quality of the refereeing process.