SCIENCE OCCUPATIONS TO ADDRESS EARTH MANAGEMENT IS NOT SOMETHING WHICH MANY ARTS STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER. IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THIS WHEN SELECTING UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AT UNIVERSITY.
In fact, interviews by occupation within the sciences are not something which many professional broadcasters have had to regularly consider. It’s outside the discipline of arts but it can easily be combined for great effect.
The current affairs on television news often focus on doom and gloom events. However, discussions about science could be a feature for information on climate change debates. There are good-news stories to find in the midst of other’s pessimism.
We are each impacted by the weather. Our geographic location defines our activities, no matter which part of the globe we inhabit. Moreover, even if we move location, the impact of weather and air quality travels with us.
The Oral History project
In 2014 and 2015, I was contracted to undertake interviews for the History of Australian Geoscience oral history project. In this role, I met with a range of earth scientists. Each professional had their viewpoint on their contribution to the Sciences and the health of the planet.
The interviewees used terms for a range of scientific endeavours in their professional life. Furthermore, these terms intersect with the global debate on climate change and implications for long-term life on Earth.
The geologists informed me how new science affects the health of the planet. They have particular views of scientific contributions. Importantly, their views on science are unique given the time in history in which they worked.
Moreover, the geographic locations in which they worked were wide-ranging. Some were local to Australia and others were off-shore and dramatic. Some locations might no longer be accessible. Geological subsidence, lack of air quality, and reduction in transport services adversely impact on field research activities.
Various factors can hamper scientific efforts including climate change. For example, a decline in population to the area, demographic changes and limitations in resource funding. Information on what worked for these geologists gives insights into the history of science in the late 20th Century.
The Oral History Interviews online
If you are interested in certain science subjects, please access the oral history recordings. However, to do this you will need to scroll down the supplied list of interviews under the next subject headings.
In point of fact, you can find a recording instantly to learn more about your favourite type of science!
Most of the interviews are available online via the National Library of Australia’s (NLA) website. The interviews are free to listen to. They are accessible while the NLA maintains links to its Digital Collection.
Geologists
Roye Rutland interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Rutland, Roye, 1930-
2014 Audio [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Colin Simpson interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Simpson, Colin, 1941-
2015 Audio,
Online [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Max Richards interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Richards, Max (Sydney Maxwell), 1936-
2015 Audio,
Online [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Lesley Wyborn interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Wyborn, Lesley A. I. (Lesley Anne Irene)
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Trevor Powell interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Powell, T. G. (Trevor George), 1943-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Marita Bradshaw interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Bradshaw, Marita, 1955-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Hugh Davies interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Davies, H. L., 1935-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word]
Geophysicists
Barry Drummond interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Drummond, B. J. (Barry John)
2015 Audio,
Online [spoken word] ,
Online – Google Books
Phil Symonds interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Symonds, Philip Alexander, 1949-
Academics
Hugh Davies interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Davies, H. L., 1935-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word]
Artists
Elizabeth Truswell interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Truswell, Elizabeth M. (Elizabeth Marchant), 1941-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word]
Earth scientists
Elizabeth Truswell interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Truswell, Elizabeth M. (Elizabeth Marchant), 1941-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word]
Engineers
Ray De Graaf interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by De Graaf, Ray, 1958-
2015 Audio [spoken word]
Palaeontologists
Elizabeth Truswell interviewed by Fiona Rothchilds in the History of Australian geoscience oral history project by Truswell, Elizabeth M. (Elizabeth Marchant), 1941-
2014 Audio,
Online [spoken word]
The text on this webpage concerning specific interviews is from the National Library of Australia website catalogue.
Moreover, the remaining text is copyrighted by Fiona Rothchilds 2020.
The interviews described were conducted by Fiona Rothchilds with the NLA.
Photographic image of old boots in the Australian War Memorial.
Photographic image copyrighted Fiona Rothchilds 2019.
Uploaded 7 October 2020.