Professor William Yule

We are deeply saddened to share news of the passing of Professor William 'Bill’' Yule, who died unexpectedly, but peacefully, at home on Sunday 5 November 2023. He will be remembered for his instrumental contribution to establishing clinical child psychology as a discipline in the UK. 

As well as being an Emeritus Professor, Bill was also a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, where he founded the Child Traumatic Stress Clinic. In addition to these roles, Bill was an Honorary Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a member of the European Federation of Psychology Associations' Standing Committee on trauma. 

Crucial role 

Bill played a crucial role in establishing clinical child psychology as a discipline. Internationally renowned for his pioneering research on the impact of trauma on children, he made significant contributions to understanding and treating its effects.  

Throughout his career, he published more than 350 articles and book chapters, as well as 10 authored or edited books on child psychology. Even after retiring, Professor Yule continued to be recognised for his acclaimed work. In 2014, he was named one of the UK's top 100 practicing scientists by the Science Council for his leadership in advancing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research and services for children. 

Bill had a varied career. It began in 1962 at what was then the King's Institute of Psychiatry (IoP), where he completed a one-year diploma in Clinical Psychology. He then conducted research with Jack Tizard CBE in the Medical Research Council (MRC) unit based at the IoP. In 1964, he became a Lecturer in Child Development at the Institute of Education, University of London.  

Return to King's  

Returning to the IoP five years later, Bill served as a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology. He also held positions as the Head of Clinical Psychology Services at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals, and as Director of the Clinical Psychology Training Course at the IoP. He held the Chair in Clinical Psychology (as Professor of Applied Child Psychology) from 1987 until his retirement in 2005. 

In 1993, Bill became an advisor to UNICEF during the civil war in former Yugoslavia. Later, he helped establish the Foundation for Children and War, a charity based in Norway. He was also part of the UK Sri Lanka Trauma Group, a group of British and Sri Lankan mental health professionals aiming to assist Sri Lanka in dealing with trauma caused by war. In 2017, he chaired the BPS Presidential Taskforce on Refugees and Asylum Seekers.  

We send our condolences to Professor Yule's family, colleagues, collaborators and friends. 

Details from this obituary have been taken from the King's website.