The legacy of John Bynner

Abstract

Professor John Bynner was a pioneer of social research using comparative longitudinal data, with a fine-tuned gift for predicting what many of the key issues were going to be in longitudinal and life course research and related policy spheres. His legacy is one of a truly remarkable researcher and scholar, but also a great colleague and friend to many. John was also the founding father of the Society for Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies (SLLS) and this journal. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (LLCS) published an obituary and tribute to John in 2024 (Schoon, 2024). This manuscript relates to a symposium that took place on 26 September 2024, in a special session organised as part of the annual meeting of the SLLS in Essex, UK. Professor Walter Heinz, a long-time friend and colleague of John's, convened the symposium. Professor Heinz won the SLLS John Bynner Distinguished Scholar Award in 2023, with winners invited to present a keynote at the following year's annual meeting. Instead of a keynote, Professor Heinz chose to organise a symposium that would pay tribute to his dear friend, who sadly passed in August 2023. As Professor Heinz could not attend the meeting in person, SLLS president Professor Dario Spini chaired the symposium. Four guest speakers were invited to highlight the key role John played in longitudinal and life course studies. Professors Paul Clarke (on behalf of Professor David Blane who could not attend), Amanda Sacker, Jeylan Mortimer and Dale Dannefer (in collaboration with Professor Ingrid Schoon, who could not attend) served as the speakers. The transcript was collated and edited by Dr Tony Robertson. The transcript, and in turn manuscript, were edited to remove extraneous material and to smooth or clarify text, including linking to slides used by the presenters and including tables. All speakers have seen the full transcript and agree with the final version of the manuscript.

Keywords: John Bynner; life course; longitudinal; policy; youth transitions.