| Description | Track 1 [01:16:37] [Session One: 28 June 2017] Andy Hopper [AH], born Warsaw, 1953. AH describes his parent’s occupations. Mentions parent’s separation and lack of contact with father. Description of mother’s meeting and remarriage to an English fruit and vegetable merchant named Bill Hopper. AH comments on immigration to the United Kingdom (UK) in 1964 at the age of 10/11. Mentions primary schooling, secondary schooling and his undergraduate degree at Swansea University. AH discusses language in terms of practical and cultural fluency. Comments on accent and dual-culture. Mentions the impact of this upon interaction with other children. [00.03.30] AH describes not doing well in school. Mentions attendance of grammar school in St. John’s Wood, London. Mentions cultural transition as a cause of academic struggles and comments upon teachers advising he did not go to university. Refers to disappointing A level grades. [00.06.11] Extended description of why AH chose Swansea University. Talks about family holidays in Llanbedr. References staying with a polish family who came to the UK following the war and were given farmland. Mentions how this family advertised their accommodation in a Polish language newspaper. AH describes enjoyment of the Welsh mountains and free space compared to living in London. Describes stepfather’s business relationship with cockle supplier Bill Parsons, of Parsons Pickles, from Llanelli. Mentions emotional connection and fond memories of the mud flats. AH says that his decision to apply to Swansea University was influenced by these experiences of Wales. [00.08.40] AH discusses his decision to study Computer Technology and comments on it being a relatively new field of study. Mentions that Swansea University was offering this course before other universities. AH elaborates on his choice of Swansea University and discusses grade requirements. Describes not achieving the grades required by Swansea University but being accepted onto the course despite this in the autumn of 1971. [00.11.11] AH describes lack of familiarity with Swansea itself, but reiterates impact of family holidays to Wales. [00.12.04] AH describes first impressions of Swansea city and University. Considers London experiences of diversity and constant action in contrast to Swansea. Recalls thinking the City to be Grimy. AH describes fond experiences of the Gower. [00.14.07] AH mentions owning a car, allowing him to explore the Gower. Comments on standing out from other students due to urban upbringing. [00.15.09] AH describes his shared accommodation on Eversley Road, Swansea. Mention of the then recently built Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC) now Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). [00.16.12] AH mentions visiting Gower beaches. Describes frequently visiting home in London. Mention of Swansea City as grimy with wartime damage still evident. [00.18.05] AH describes in detail his experience of studying Computer Technology at Swansea University. Mentions head of computing department Bill Gosling (BG) and Professor David Aspinall (DA). AH reiterates the innovative nature of the course. Mentions positive academic experience and grades in contrast to disappointing secondary school experience. [00.21.40] AH mentions current position as Professor of Computer Technology at Cambridge. Describes definition and role of Computer Technology. [00.23.04] AH praises Swansea University for providing an innovative course and for accepting him despite not meeting entry grade requirements. Elaborates on relationship with BG and DA and their role in proving the innovative Computer Technology course. [00.25.26] AH rhetorically questions Swansea University’s vice-chancellor regarding a lack of innovation and is critical of a focus on teaching assessment systems. [00.26.00] AH comments briefly upon the structure of the Computing Technology course and refers to a class photo in his possession. Mentions University tutor, Eric Douglass. AH briefly references his past role as President of The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and mentions BG as another previous President of the IET. [00.28.18] AH Describes observation and curiosity of the Welsh language and culture. Comments upon the diversity of contemporary Swansea University students. AH describes how university experiences were different in the 1970s and comments upon the lack of economic pressure. [00.31.47] AH discusses diversity of University friends. Mention of skiing club, attending the British Universities Skiing Championship and teaching skiing in the Alps. AH anecdote of playing Rugby at Swansea but quitting after being beaten up. [00.35.58] AH describes the social scene in Swansea and refers to live bands, house parties, drugs and curry. Specific mention of Paul McCartney and Wings touring in Swansea. [00.40.57] AH describes student housing as adequate. Brief mention of the oil crisis. [00.43.00] AH describes exotic adventures during summer holidays; firstly talks about driving to Iran, secondly talks about trip to Brazil. Reference to currently owning an airplane. [00.45.24] AH describes financial situation and reflects on parental monetary assistance and the relatively low cost of travel in the 1970s. Mentions University grant. [00.47.06] AH describes being mostly uninterested in political participation. He considers the impact of his Polish upbringing and the influence of communism on his political engagement. AH describes his mother’s experience as a wartime refugee from Warsaw and participant in the Polish uprising. Mentions interest in social change was limited to those that impacted his life. [00.50.14] AH mentions desire for independence as a young adult and reflects upon the social changes of the period. [00.52.51] AH tells an anecdote about losing his graduation photos, which took place in Brangwyn hall, Swansea. He describes being given an honorary fellowship from Swansea University in 2005. [00.54.10] AH describes the way in which he came to study a PhD at Cambridge. Mentions the support given to him by DA. [00.58.10] AH considers fluke, chance and making the best of what you have access to. [00.59.04] AH provides a detailed chronological account of his academic and industrial career, most notable of which are his position as co-founder of Acorn and contribution to the development of the ARM microprocessor. Throughout this description the importance of balancing academic and industrial work is reiterated. [01.09.35] AH describes some of the awards given to his various projects; this includes The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and the MacRobert Award. [01.10.22] AH stresses the interconnected nature of his various academic and industrial pursuits. Comments on how Cambridge’s flexibility has facilitated this interconnectivity. Mentions Swansea University as inspiring the combination of academic and industrial projects. AH comments on the complex interconnectivity of his success. [01.16.36] |