James Murphy - The Discursive Construction of Blame: The language of public inquiries

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This was a project which Prof. John Wilson instigated prior to his retirement from Ulster University and I enthusiastically accepted his invitation to join it over dinner at a conference. John then went on to retire more fully and responsibility for this work passed to me. I am grateful to John for that initial invitation and for subsequent discussions. The work has changed in all sorts of ways, though Chapter has Johns fingerprints on it, and Im grateful to him for allowing its use here. Needless to say, he is not to blame for any of its shortcomings!

I am grateful to my colleagues at the University of the West of England for their support during the writing process. They have been especially encouraging and generous with their advice. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Kate Beeching and Prof. Richard Coates for reading over a number of chapters and to Prof. Jonathan Charteris-Black for discussions about blame, often in the pub after a Bristol Rovers game. Dr. Anna Piasecki has picked up some of my slack and has been greatly encouraging. Harriet Castor Jefferys red pen was a great help, as were our Friday afternoon G&Ts. My colleagues in Linguistics and Writing really are a great bunch.

I also have to acknowledge the fact that this work has been completed thanks to two stints of faculty research leave which granted me a reduction in my teaching load, which certainly allowed me to maintain my sanity, especially in the final stages of the writing.

Undertaking a work such as this means that the professional and personal overlap greatly (too much!). I thank Emily McCoy for making sure we were well looked after and for all of her support; an effort made all the more impressive given that shes been carrying our first child. I am thankful also to Barbara & John McCoy for their cheerleading. My mother, Jacqueline, has supported me in everything that I have ever chosen to do and has always had an encouraging word when its been needed. My siblings, Daniel, Craig and Rachel, despite our woeful inability to communicate with each other, I know are always there for me.

I dedicate this book to my late father, Martin Murphy who passed away before the book was completed and whose effusive praise at its publication I will sorely miss. He always showed interest, asked insightful questions and encouraged me to be concise. I hope all of this is reflected in the end product.