We are deeply saddened to announce the death of former Editor-in-Chief, Dr Ewan Bowlby, a vibrant, integral and inspirational member of Transpositions and the wider ITIA community. Ewan died on December 23rd, 2022 from brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Karlee, his parents, Jane and Chris, and siblings, Laura and Alfie.
Ewan had been an active member of the ITIA community since 2017. He was a consistent contributor to Transpositions, working as an Associate Editor before becoming Editor-in-Chief in 2022. Ewan was also a member and leader of Transept, ITIA’s student-led artist group. Drawing on academic research, qualitative study and real-life experience, Ewan’s doctoral research focuses on using popular forms of art (novels, films and television series) to help design innovative emotional, psychological and spiritual care for cancer patients. Ewan was also involved in the practical implementation of his research through such initiatives as Maggie’s Fiction Library, a collection of novels, films, television series and other resources designed to aid individuals affected by cancer to explore their personal experiences through fictional stories about living with cancer.
Ewan’s death leaves a large gap in our community. Not only do we mourn the loss of an intelligent thinker and artist, but we mourn the loss of a dear friend. While these words are written with a heaviness of heart, we also want to honour and celebrate the life and work of a gifted scholar and artist. In an effort to do so, we will run a series in the spring, reflecting on and engaging with Ewan’s creative and intellectual work. We hope this upcoming series will display the originality and incisiveness that marks Ewan’s work, as well as the kindness and depth of his character.
His doctoral thesis on the spiritual and emotional care of cancer patients can be read online here: doi.org/10.17630/sta/243.
Donations can be made in Ewan’s memory to Maggie’s (maggies.org) or Tynedale Hospice at Home (tynedalehospice.com).
I have only just found out that Ewan had passed away.
I would like to express my sincere condolences and deep sadness to Ewan’s colleagues and friends.
He reached the lives of many of us in a deep and meaningful way through his Maggie’s project on Fiction.
I will be forever grateful for his supremely intelligent and compassionate writing which has brought me so much solace in dark times, and his kindness and joy in our email exchanges.
May he rest in beautiful peace.
I hope his writing and work can be widely published / circulated as they will be helpful to many people. Perhaps a review will come up in the Guardian or other newspaper or the BBC do a portrait? It would be good to have his light shine out where public discourse on and around cancer is often really unhelpful.