RSC Separation Science Interest Group pays tribute to its former Chair, Professor Robert “Bob” Flanagan

It is with great sadness that the RSC Separation Science Interest Group marks the passing of Professor Bob Flanagan, our former Chairperson. He was a champion of the separation sciences and his work also had a deep impact across clinical and forensic toxicology.

After graduating in Biochemistry from the University of Sussex in 1970, Bob began his career at the Poisons Unit, Guy’s Hospital, later becoming Consultant Clinical Scientist and Director of the Toxicology Unit in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Bob was widely respected for his expertise in analytical methods, particularly gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and later their use with mass spectrometry. His work extended into therapeutics, substance misuse, and the interpretation of toxicology results in both clinical and post-mortem settings.

He published more than 200 scientific papers and was lead author of four books, including Fundamentals of Analytical Toxicology, a core text that has supported countless students and practitioners. He also contributed to major reference works including Clarke’s Analysis of Drugs and Poisons.

Bob’s expertise was sought widely by medical professionals, police, coroners, lawyers, and international organisations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He also gave longstanding service to training and professional standards, leading analytical toxicology training for the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and the Royal College of Pathologists for more than a decade.

A valued member of the scientific community for decades, Bob also served as Chair of the London Toxicology Group. Alongside his contribution to SSG on top of his outstanding leadership in the separation sciences, we will look forward to celebrating his life’s work in the near future at the RSC.

Professor Flanagan will be remembered for his scholarship, leadership, and generosity, and for the lasting contribution he made to science, education, and professional practice. He inspired and mentored many of us on the committee and many across our community.

The RSC Separation Science Interest Group extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and former students.

He will be sorely missed.