22 August 2025
This tribute leans heavily – and with thanks – on others published closer to the time of Elaine’s death. We have included links below the item. Elaine was a valued speaker at UKSG events, and wise counsel on issues way outside her area of responsibility (but not experience, thank goodness) for which we are extremely grateful.
The sudden loss of Elaine Sykes has left a deep ache in the hearts of all who knew her — a mother, wife, colleague, and friend whose life radiated wit, warmth, and unwavering principle. At just 40, Elaine’s impact was already extraordinary. She was, in the words of many, “a force of nature” — someone whose presence filled a room with energy, intelligence, and laughter.
From chatting with Andrew Barker and other friends about her it is clear that Elaine’s roots shaped everything about her: not least being born and raised in the Dingle, Liverpool, but also her quick wit, her fierce sense of justice, her loyalty, and her deep love for her community. She carried that pride into everything she did, whether at Lancaster University, with the Crosby Symphony Orchestra, or as a dedicated member of Toxteth Tabernacle Baptist Church, where her funeral was held with many family and friends in attendance.
Elaine’s professional achievements were remarkable. She was a leader in open research, driven by a powerful belief that publicly funded research should be accessible to everyone — not locked behind paywalls. Her work was guided by a rare combination: a leader’s determination, and an emotional intelligence that made everyone feel seen and valued. She didn’t just “talk the talk” — she rolled up her sleeves and fought to change the system, often with a well-placed, razor-sharp joke that softened even the toughest conversations, as we know from the UKSG webinars and seminars she gave her time and energy to speak at.
Colleagues remember her not only for her brilliance but also for her humanity. She had a gift for lightening the mood, for cutting through tension with humour, and for lifting others up. “If Elaine was in the room, you knew she had your back,” recalls Andrew. To him — and to so many others — she wasn’t just a co-worker; she was the person you could trust implicitly, laugh with endlessly, and dream alongside.
Her personal life was the centre of her universe. Elaine’s greatest joy was her family: her husband Jack, a minister in Liverpool, and their beloved six-year-old twin daughters, Florence and Lily. Friends speak of her devotion to them — how she would rush home to say goodnight, how she lit up when talking about them, and how her life revolved entirely around their happiness.
Elaine also poured her energy into music, playing violin with passion and skill. Commuting with Andrew from Liverpool to Lancaster, she’d often share the pieces she was preparing — whether or not her fellow passengers shared her taste. That was Elaine: generous with her passions and unapologetically herself.
In early June, just days before her passing, Elaine played a key role in bringing the International Conference on Performance Measurement in Libraries to her beloved Liverpool. It was yet another example of how she put her city, her values, and her profession at the heart of everything she did. (Read more about this from Liam Thorp, Liverpool Echo in the link below).
Her colleagues at Lancaster University and beyond have been sharing messages filled with admiration and love. You can read more here (and email us to let us know of any we have missed to add to this):
https://portal.lancaster.ac.uk/intranet/news/article/elaine-sykes
https://copim.pubpub.org/pub/elaine-sykes-and-copim/release/1
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/outpouring-tributes-force-nature-liverpool-31992115 (you need to accept cookies)
In lieu of flowers at the funeral, the family asked that donation be made to the following organisations:
- Libraries without borders
- Toxteth Tabernacle Baptist Church
You can donate here:
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/elaine-sykes