I
t is with great sadness that the University of Birmingham has learned of the passing of Karen Seehra, Communications and Engagement Officer (BEI) in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, on Tuesday 6 February 2024.
Karen joined the University in 2017 and worked for the Birmingham Energy Institute as part of the EPS Marcomms team. She was well known for her energy and positivity. She tackled any challenge with dedication and commitment, and was very well respected as a comms professional. Karen will be much missed by her friends and colleagues around the University.
You are welcome to submit a message of condolence here, which will be reviewed before publishing.
Karen was one of those brilliant people who consistently produced high quality work seemingly effortlessly. Whether it’s writing a speech for an opening ceremony, firing punchy social media updates or organising a complex visit – it was as if she would just click her fingers and it would be done. Except it wasn’t magic, but her amazing skills, hard work and creativity – she was truly inspirational.
I will also miss Karen’s sunny personality, her infectious laughter and the sense of fun she brought into everything she did. Just by her presence she would spread positivity – I immediately knew it would be a good day if I walked into the office and she was there. Karen, your life has been cut short but you touched so many people in profound ways, and I feel very lucky to have worked alongside you.
Lada Zimina, Project Manager, Birmingham Energy Institute.
Karen was an amazing colleague and a fantastic person. It's so difficult to do justice to how much impact she had and just how much she did - everyday. She was a dedicated professional and, as others had said, always positive, efficient and competent, bringing energy and humour to events, away days, meetings and projects. She was an integral part of both Birmingham Energy Institute and the development of Tyseley Energy Park and we are all lost without her.
On a personal level, her friendship, particularly through lockdown, was an essential part of keeping my sanity in challenging times. She was never judgemental and always sympathetic when I turned up to catch-ups bedraggled and disorientated, or late because I'd got my hairbrush stuck in my hair or some other minor disaster.
She was always supportive and able to offer advice on work challenges and it was always a joy to hear Karen talk about her family and husband with such affection, as somebody so obviously part of a close and happy family. I am going to miss Karen so much x.
Emily Prestwood, Birmingham Energy Institute.
So shocked and saddened by your passing. We are really going to miss you here at Tyseley, Karen. We'll miss that wonderful smile, the warmth, enthusiasm, and positive energy that you would share with anyone that crossed your path. I've heard the saying that some people are too good for this Earth and I feel this describes you, you were a wonderful person/soul, in so many ways.
From a professional perspective, thank you for all of your unwavering support, the expertise you shared, as well as the tenacity and dedication that you'd bring on a daily basis. My deepest condolences to your loved ones. I will really miss you and our catch ups. It was wonderful to hear how much family genuinely meant to you; seeing how excited you were about your sister's wedding and witnessing the love and happiness that you obviously shared as a family. I'll miss us sharing stories of big life events, breaks away, and everything in between. I know your soul will live on in all the people that you touched. Debbie x
Debbie Smith, CIP/EPS.
Such a shocking and sad loss to the Team. Karen always struck me as a happy, smiling person, so dedicated to her role and spoke with immense enthusiasm about her work in our Team Meeting 'Successes & Wins'. I wish I had got the opportunity to get to know her better. I send all my love and prayers to her family.
Mrs Linda Rogers, EPS Student Recruitment Team.
I feel very lucky to have known Karen and to have worked with her in the team. She joined only a few weeks after me and was always a joy to be around. Karen set a high standard and she was definitely one of the most organised people I have ever met! She brought so much energy into the team, whether it was just day-to-day in the office or doing team building activities on away days. Everyone she worked with always spoke so highly of her. But she was so much more, so generous, kind and thoughtful. She was dedicated to her family and had so much life left to live. We will miss her so very much.
Rachel Ellis, Head of Marketing and Communications - EPS EPS Marcomms.
Karen was always so friendly, incredibly positive, organised, and enthusiastic. She took ownership of projects and ensured they delivered with real attention to detail. When Karen had an event, you knew everything was in-hand. Like so very many at the University, I will really miss her. I hope her family can feel how well loved she was at work, what a difference she made doing what she was so skilled at and so importantly, with such a positive attitude - sending sincere condolences to you.
Kathryn Miles, Research Strategy Development Partner University of Birmingham.
Whenever we were working on joint projects I found Karen to be a joy to be around and I really enjoyed spending time with her. She had a brilliant personality, extremely good at her job, managing to pull off some amazing events and comms. She will be sorely missed by everyone who has enjoyed her company and my heart goes out to her friends and family for the loss of such a wonderful person.
Faye McAnulla, Programme Director ERA/BEIC.
Karen, you were always so bubbly and brought a lot of fun into BEIC. Still can't believe what's happened and you'll be very missed.
Nicole, Post Award.
Dear Karen, like all the colleagues who have had the luck and joy of working with you, your physical presence, together with the constant positivity, the incredible work efficiency, and infectious warm spirit – in short, the top professionalism that has been shining through from every single piece of work you have been involved in, will be profoundly missed by me. Rest in peace dear Karen, your legacy of love, kindness and wisdom is a treasure that we will carry forward.
Dr Bing Liu, Birmingham Energy Institute, University of Birmingham.
A highly professional, intelligent, kind, humorous person.....I look back on our morning 'putting the world to rights' chats with fondness. You were taken far too early, rest in peace Karen.
Mike, EPS MarComms.
Karen we followed each other from one job to the next over 12 years. Colleagues and quickly becoming friends. I still cannot believe you have gone. Miss you incredibly. Your support with project Comms, professionalism and knowlegde was commendable. Until we meet again my friend, fly high and rest easy xxx
Sureena, Project Manager
You will be so much missed Karen! Thanks for being a star to support colleagues in so many ways. Rest in peace.
Dr Xinfang Wang, Birmingham Energy Institute.
I am really sorry to hear about her, I pray her comfort future journey and ALLAH forgive her.
Dr Muhammad Maqbool Chemical Engineering.
Karen was so kind to me when we worked together and put the health of my team first. I was looking forward to working with her on future projects. My heart goes out to her family and everyone who knew her. She was a fun, kind, and intelligent person and will be missed.
Neill - Senior Producer Creative Media.
I was very fortunate to work with Karen from when I started at the University not long after her. Often myself and Karen would be the first in to the EPS Marcomms office before the pandemic and she was always so warm and friendly to chat to. She loved her role, her team and other colleagues and spoke so wonderfully of her family all the time. You will be missed by us all, Karen. Rest in peace.
Mark Pell, Student Recruitment Manager.
Karen, I didn't know you as long as others in the wider EPS MarComms Team, but I very quickly saw what a lovely, friendly person you were. All the things I've heard about you say the same, how positive you were, and always there for others. You are gone too soon, but know that you will be in people's memories for a long, long time to come, and are irreplaceable. Rest easy lovely xxxxx
Helen Whitby.