My friend Alan Cawson, who has died aged 68 of a heart attack, had two distinguished academic careers: the first as a political scientist, noted for his theory of corporatism, and the second as a professor of digital media, introducing one of the world’s first degree courses in the subject at the University of Sussex. He retired early from academia to pursue interests in business and community organisations.
Born in Manchester, Alan and his brothers, John and David, spent their childhood split between boarding schools and living with their parents, Frank and Alice (nee Hullock), in the various countries where Frank worked for the British Council. This instilled in Alan an appreciation of different cultures and a particular passion for Africa.
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