ACADEMIC and BBC radio expert contributor, Professor Eileen Evason, has been remembered for the "huge contribution" she made to helping some of the most vulnerable people in society.
Tributes have been paid to the social administration lecturer, who was known as the "benefits expert" on Radio Ulster's On Your Behalf where she spent almost 30 years offering advice on the show. She died yesterday aged 75.
Prof Evason worked as a lecturer at both Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University and wrote numerous publications relating to poverty, social security and gender.
She was appointed to chair of what became known as the Evason group, which established proposals to mitigate the impact of welfare reforms proposed by the government in Westminster.
She also served on various commissions and public bodies including the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Deirdre Heenan, a professor at Ulster University, said she had "campaigned tirelessly" throughout her life.
"Deeply saddened to learn of the death of my former colleague and friend the inspirational, Prof Eileen Evason," she wrote on Twitter.
"Alongside her distinguished academic career, Eileen campaigned tirelessly for equality and women’s rights.
"Her work with BBC Radio Ulster was in a league of its own."
Linda McAuley, who presents On Your Behalf, said Professor Evason was a "huge personality".
"Her wealth of knowledge was unbelievable," she told the BBC.
"What I always thought came across more was her warmth and her caring about people, because she cared about people who couldn't manage to find out these things themselves."
Sinn Féin's Michelle O’Neill also said she was "deeply saddened".
"Eileen made a huge contribution to protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society and providing the Executive with invaluable guidance on welfare supports," she said.
"A lifelong campaigner on rights and women’s issues, Eileen was passionate about addressing the huge challenges facing people in our communities.
"A key focus of Eileen’s work was on tackling poverty and ensuring workers and families have maximum support and recognising that much can be achieved when people work together."
