Professor Bernard King
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Bernhard King
Born: May 4, 1946
Died April 16, 2024
In his time Professor King was a convener of Universities Scotland, a trustee of Tayside Primary Healthcare Trust, a director of Scottish Enterprise Tayside, and chairman of the board of governors of the Scottish Crop Research Institute. Passionate about music, he was a proud sponsor of Cantiones Sacrae. A keen sailor, he was also an avid reader, and a much-loved family man. Professor King is survived by his wife, Maura, and daughters Madge and Sinead.
Bernard's qualifications included
• MSc Aston University
• PhD Aston University
• C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire)
• CCMI (Chartered Companion, Chartered Management Institute)
• C Biol (Chartered Biologist)
IRG and Scientific Prominence
Dr King was an IRG member from 1976 to 2010 (25 years), during which time he attended 10 IRG meetings between 1977 (IRG9) and 1990 (IRG21). Bernard authored 22 IRG papers.
Professor King co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific studies focused on the microbiology of wood decay — particularly identifying and detecting fungi that rot timber during his earlier academic career (when the institution was still Dundee Institute of Technology / later part of the University of Dundee-related research ecosystem).
His research focus included: Immunological detection of wood decay basidiomycetes, Biological control research, and Molecular identification methods. Research Collaborators included John W. Palfreyman, Alan Bruce, Alan Score, Terry Highley, Anne Vigrow, Phil Evans, David Button, Heather Glancy, Gillian Nicoll, George M. Smith, H. J. Staines, U. Srinivasan, and S.D. Hainey.
University Leadership roles
Professor King was the founding principal and vice-chancellor of Abertay University, Dundee, having secured its university status as principal of Dundee Institute of Technology. Professor King led his university to develop the disciplines for which Abertay is now known internationally such as computing, technology, social sciences, cyber security and forensics. Under his leadership Abertay launched the world's first computer games degree. Abertay is now ranked as one of the top International Schools for video games.During his time at Abertay, Professor King was a driving force behind the successful bid to gain university status in 1992.
Between 1994 and 2004 he led a wider shift in course provision, moving away from traditional engineering towards disciplines such as computing, technology, social sciences, sport and forensics.
Under Professor King’s leadership, the institution launched the world’s first video games degree in 1997.
Library named in his honour
The Abertay campus was also expanded significantly under his direction, including the award-winning design and build of the Bernard King Library – which Queen Elizabeth II opened in June 1998.
Retirement
Professor King retired from the university in 2011 and, writing in a book to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Abertay, he praised the “unstinting support and encouragement” of his colleagues during his time there.
As convener of Universities Scotland from 2010 to 2012, Professor King worked with a range of organisations intending to advance higher education, including many government taskforce and advisory groups
Writing Career
Bernard King wrote fiction as an English-language author of fantasy and adventure novels. His works were primarily fantasy, with elements of science fiction and horror. Bernard published 7 such novels in the 1980s and early 1990s, in parallel with his research work and institutional leadership roles. In addition to fiction, ini 1993 he also wrote The Elements of the Runes, a non-fiction work about runic inscriptions and mythology.
This memorial was written for inclusion in the January 2026 IRG Newsletter.
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