Ewan asked me to say some words at Dens’ memorial service at St Georges but unfortunately I was in France at the time and so wrote this, for Matin to read out on my behalf.  I later used this same piece at the memorial event we held for Dens at IOP Publishing.   Dens and I worked together since 1996 when I joined IOPP and later that year, Dens moved to the Magazines department from Journals Production. In those days, that was quite an unusual move as the Journals department was fairly serious and somewhat highbrow whereas the Magazines department, despite producing world renowned and highly specialised magazines, were very much the naughty children of the IOPP family. I remember hearing, “Dens from Journals is moving to Magazines. She’ll whip us into shape!”   And she did! Dens was passionate about so many important things – physics of course but also accuracy, quality, accessibility, equality, fairness and doing the best job possible. She brought all of this and more to Physics World and was instrumental in setting and driving exacting standards, high production values and fantastic reader and user experience. Dens was passionate about so many important things –…

I have worked at IOP Publishing for a very, (very,) long time, but even for me Dens was a constant. She embodied the culture of what we are and what we aspire to be, stalwart, caring, committed, dedicated to the furthering the impact of physics. She was all of this, delivered with a wry sense of humour. She had high expectations of herself, and inspired the same in others. Our paths didn’t cross to often in the course of every day, but I will always have fond memories of when they did, and will endeavour to honour her memory, and meet her expectations in all that we do….

Dens was a great colleague.  I met her when I first joined IOP Publishing back in 1997, but it was when I started work on magazines that I got to know Dens better.  She was a great support when I was learning the ins and outs of magazine publishing and was always on hand to give me an honest opinion, offer advice or give alternative scenarios for me to consider – she taught me a lot and I will always be grateful for that.  Her dry sense of humour always made me laugh and the enthusiasm she brought to meetings kept things moving along even when we were looking at some difficult challenges and whatever the project, when Dens said she would work on something you always knew it was in good hands and would happen one way or another.  I was so shocked and saddened to hear about her passing, it really was too soon.  As I was writing this, the main memory I have of Dens is her smiling and laughing, making a funny remark and a feeling of trust and respect.  My heartfelt condolences to Dens’ husband Ewan, her family, friends, and her colleagues.  I am…

I had known Dens for most of my 29 years at IOPP but had never actually worked with her until one of my first application support roles on the Physics Web website. She was always known to be vocal on her opinions, knew exactly what she did and didn’t want and so I was very nervous to be working with her at first, but was so surprised, she really helped me, always listerened to ideas and solutions and was super supportive. Such a huge asset to IOPP. I still can’t believe she is no longer with us, I can still hear her voice. My condolenses to Ewan and family…

I remember being terrified of Dens the first time I met her, up by her project whiteboard (tucked away in the back corner of Temple Circus), new to IOP Publishing and new to magazines. I was intimidated by her assertiveness and vision and frustration that nothing was moving as fast as she wanted it to. As soon as we started working more closely together I quickly realised I had no need to be scared. Dens was simply the most wonderful colleague – yes she was vocal and expressive and confident in her views, but she was also kind and compassionate and fundamentally wanted to deliver the best product possible. Not only was Dens a close colleague, but I also saw her as my team-mate, a confidante, a friend and a mentor. We spoke constantly (sometimes multiple times a day) and always had fun, even if we were also tearing our hair out. She will be so deeply missed, but I feel grateful that I got to know her and work with her. I will endeavour to always try and emulate her consideration and care for others, and now have the life mantra of “What would Dens think?”. You won’t…

I worked with The Dens from her first arrival at IOPP. In our house we still chortle about her logging her holidays on the wall planner as `Dens oot’. I left the IOPP Bristol office about 1995, if memory serves, but we (me and my partner, Sargs) still met Dens and Ewan locally many times over the years. Dens’s loss is tragic, far too early; she will be so missed. We warmly offer our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Ewan….

The loss of Dens was a shock to so many and I extend my deepest thoughts and condolences to Ewan, her family and all of her friends. Despite being in a separate team, and not working particularly closely with Dens over the two decades or so we overlapped at IOPP, she had the most tremendous impact on me. Her professional qualities, commitment and wisdom were clear and yet, as someone who to my regret did not know Dens as well as many others, her unique personal qualities seemed to gently pervade all who were in her orbit. Humour, warmth, kindness, time for others, integrity and sheer sense of fun are the things we all wish we had and Dens had the lot (in abundance) in a way that influenced me, my conduct and my work. Whenever I saw that Dens was going to be in the same meeting, sitting on the same table at a company meeting, or just in the same random group setting as me I knew we were guaranteed a productive, memorable and, always, fun discussion – she was quite simply a wonderful colleague.  …

Dens was already at IoPP when I moved to Bristol to join the Magazines Dept in 1993, with a desk not far from mine in Techno House. She was one of a group who made me feel welcome and who became friends, pubbing, clubbing, gigging, going to Glastonbury and to her wedding. Dens was a good, funny, friend and such people are very special. I wish I’d had more funny friends in my life like her, and I’ve long regretted losing touch with her and Ewan when I left IoPP in 1999. What a shock. I send condolences and love to Ewan and their families….

On joining IOP Publishing in January 1997, as Art Director with a branding and design brief, one of the first people I met was Dens Milne, then Production Editor of Physics World magazine.  Branding & design was new to IOP, the function had been siloed in individual departments, so understandably, I had to build up trust over time. It was very clear that Dens was extremely committed, passionate and protective about all things Physics World. Always willing to challenge, discuss, understand, and assimilate when needed, a valuable quality in accepting new publishing principles and values. Over time, one of my highlights, (220 issues or so….) were our monthly cover design meetings, with Dens and the PW magazine Editors, working together, exploring cover options, it was often challenging, as well as entertaining and enjoyable, of course, not always all agreeing, which is often part of the process too! However, working as a team with creative cover lines, strong images and typographic options too, we did produce mostly excellent cover designs with authority and confidence, which stood out from the competition. Dens was very much involved in all Physics World matters. Over many years we worked closely on two major redesigns…

The whole Madgex team really enjoyed working with Dens. Dens was highly knowledgeable of our product and was an absolute pleasure to deal with, making projects easy to run.   From Steve – “I will really miss our chats about Bristol as I have a sister that lives there with her family.” From Cat – “I will miss Dens’ sense of humour on our regular calls, they won’t quite be the same without her” Rest In Peace Dens. All our love from the Madgex Team….

This is such uexpected and sad news. I knew Dens for what seems like all of the 19 years I worked at IOPP and really enjoyed her company, and her unique blend of detemination and humour. We found a lot of common ground through our mutual connections to Scotland and I shall fondly remember the last couple of years we worked together on the PW website. My heartfelt condolences to Ewan and Dens’ family and friends….

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely loss of Dens. I met Dens when I joined IOPP back in 2011, and she was one of the people that helped me settle in (although she might not have realised it). Though we didn’t work particularly closely together, I would often pop over to her desk to ask for her help on various things, and was always met with her warmth and fantastic sense of humour. It’s funny how these small things make an impact on you. I’ll remember her as a great colleague and just a lovely person. The whole team will miss her hugely, both on a personal and professional level….

Dens and I didn’t always see eye to eye but we enjoyed a good laugh and spirited discussion, particularly after an ale or two. I’m not sure I was her most cherished colleague in Diarc House, certainly when it came to finishing the magazine proofs once a month. “Exasperated” might be a polite way of describing her demeanour on those occasions. She was a stickler for detail and at the same time a very warm, passionate person. She will surely leave a big void at IOPP. I wish the very best to all her close friends and family, particularly Ewan….

I’ve been a part of IOP for 16 years, and throughout that time, Dens has been a constant presence. However, it wasn’t until the Media team was established that I truly got to know her well. I came to appreciate her sharp sense of humor and sarcastic remarks. Dens was known for her straightforward communication style; she didn’t hesitate to voice her opinion if she thought an idea was terrible. Her confidence and control over work projects were evident, especially during the formation of the Media team. I’ve been searching for a photograph from around 6 or 7 years ago, taken during the summer company event, where Dens, myself, Sam Parsons, and a few others were engaged in orienteering.  She was really good fun during that walk and she made sure we didn’t get lost!  The news of Dens’ sudden passing is so sad. Her absence will leave a significant void. My heartfelt condolences go out to you, Ewan, family and friends. Dens was an integral part of IOP, and her memory will very much continue to endure….

I only met Dens on Zoom while we worked together on a new project between APS and IOPP.  She was very warm and knowledgeable and I was looking forward to working closely with her in the future.  I know she and I would have had a great working relationship, and I was looking forward to learning all I could from her.  May her family, both at home and at work, be comforted to know she has touched many lives in a positive way.  I know it’s a difficult time so I wish all those who knew and loved her my deepest sympathy….