Professor Michael Coey, Professor Emeritus in Trinity’s School of Physics and one of the world’s foremost experts in magnetism, passed away on October 6th, 2025, aged 79. A scientist of immense distinction, Coey spent nearly five decades at Trinity advancing the field of magnetism, mentoring generations of researchers, and playing a key role in establishing the university’s international reputation in physical sciences. His passing marks the end of a remarkable era in Irish and international physics.
Born in Belfast in 1945, Michael Coey — Mike, to those who knew him — earned his undergraduate degree in Physics at Jesus College, Cambridge in 1966, before completing his PhD at the University of Manitoba in 1971. His thesis focussed on the Mössbauer effect of 57Fe in magnetic oxides, a sign of things to come in his lifelong interest in magnetism.
Early in his career, Coey took up positions that enriched his scientific exposure, including a period as Chargé des Recherches with the CNRS in Grenoble, and as a visiting scientist at IBM’s T. J. Watson Research Center in the United States. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for his future leadership in magnetism and spintronics, infusing his later work at Trinity.
Joining Trinity in 1978, Coey was instrumental in transforming the university into a global centre for magnetic research. His name became nearly synonymous with the field of magnetism. His work was both foundational and revolutionary, spanning from fundamental discoveries in magnetic materials to applications in data storage and spintronics. He founded the Magnetism and Spin Electronics Group, which became a hub of interdisciplinary collaboration between physics, chemistry, and materials science. Perhaps most impactful was his leadership in establishing the Trinity Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN), where he served as a founding principal Investigator. Under his guidance, CRANN became a flagship research institute not just for Ireland, but for the entire European scientific community.
By the time of his death, Coey had published over 700 scientific articles, and his textbook Magnetism and Magnetic Materials became a cornerstone reference worldwide. For many, it was the definitive voice on the subject, so much so that it became impossible to search magnetism without encountering his work. His influence was so far-reaching, one former student recalled searching online for help with a problem in magnetism, only to find a single response that read simply: “Just ask Coey.” It was a fitting reflection of his standing in the field, when it came to magnetism, he was quite literally the authority to ask.
While his research established him as one of the world’s leading physicists, those who knew him best, speak first of his kindness, guidance, and intellectual generosity. Coey believed deeply in the power of mentorship: to ignite curiosity, to build confidence, and to cultivate integrity in science. Researchers and students collectively shared how his brilliance, vision, and unwavering curiosity shaped generations. He mentored dozens of PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now hold leading positions in academia and industry. When news of his passing was shared, tributes poured in from across the world; from Europe, Asia, and the United States.
He was known for an extraordinary presence, his energy and passion for science stood out to everyone who worked with him. As a mentor, his generosity, insight, and steady encouragement left a deep and lasting impression on those he guided. His influence endures through the many people he inspired. Renowned as he was, his talks would captivate entire rooms, commanding a quiet awe from his audiences. Visionary and larger than life, his passing marks a profound loss to the world of science.
Students recall his willingness to engage deeply with young scientists: the time he devoted to conversation, encouragement, and insight. They recalled how he went beyond traditional learning, encouraging them to think for themselves. Such an outpouring of love, admiration and tributes capture what statistics and awards cannot: Coey’s rare ability to nurture both intellect and character. His colleagues recall that his office door was always open, that his discussions were patient yet probing, and that his feedback, often a single, illuminating question, could reshape an entire project.
Throughout his distinguished career, Coey received some of the highest honours in international science. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2003, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1987, and a Foreign Associate of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 2005; a rare distinction for an Irish physicist. Among his many accolades were the Charles Chree Medal and Prize of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal, the Gutenberg Prize from the University of Strasbourg, and the Max Born Medal and Prize in 2019, awarded jointly by the Institute of Physics and the German Physical Society. In 2023, Trinity College conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) in recognition of his lifelong contributions to physics and education. Each honour reflected not only his groundbreaking research in magnetism and materials science but also his enduring impact as a mentor, collaborator, and visionary leader.
Even in his later years, Coey remained active in research and mentoring. He often spoke about the importance of curiosity-driven science and the value of failure in the pursuit of understanding. A passionate advocate for scientific literacy, he viewed communication as a fundamental responsibility of every scientist. His influence on Trinity College is woven into its very fabric: the laboratories he helped build, the centres he conceived, and the generations he taught, ensure magnetism and materials science remain among the university’s flagship disciplines. His leadership in founding CRANN and supporting the Science Gallery reflected his vision of science as both rigorous and humane, a bridge between discovery and society.
Michael Coey’s passing leaves a void not only in Trinity’s School of Physics but in the broader community. To the scientific world, Michael Coey was a pioneer of magnetism; to Trinity, he was a cornerstone of its intellectual life; to his students, he was a mentor whose belief in them changed their paths. His discoveries advanced physics, but his deeper legacy lies in the human connections he forged, the curiosity he sparked, the confidence he nurtured, and the ideals of scholarship he embodied.
His former students perhaps say it best: “The world is a less determined, less thoughtful and less knowledgeable place now, and not the better for it.”
As future generations walk through Trinity’s campus, or explore the mysteries of magnetism, they will do so in a space shaped in no small measure by his vision. The echoes of his lectures, the pathways of inquiry he opened, and the spirit of curiosity he embodied will continue to resonate, ensuring that his influence will not fade but live on.
Rest in peace, Michael Coey. Your life was a lodestar for science and education, and your legacy is secure.
