| Description | Track 1 [01:33:11] [Session one: 8 May 2018] Dr Richard Startup [RS] born Bromley, Kent, 1942. RS describes early education; went to state primary school, passed scholarship to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, states qualifications achieved. RS states he won open scholarship studying Mathematics at Magdalen College Oxford [MCO]. Short description of parents’ professions as teachers. RS remarks favourably on his time at Grammar school 6th form, and MCO; mentions favouring the change from Grammar to Comprehensive Schools, comments generally on Grammar School education. [00:05:44] RS explains his shift from Mathematics to Sociology; talks about fascination with social and political themes, and law in relation to adult male sexuality (1967). Comments on going from MCO (graduated 1963) to Magdalene College Cambridge [MCC] - (Post Graduate Diploma in Mathematical Statistics, graduated 1964) hoping to get employment as a social statistician. Explains how and why he came to Swansea University [SU], - as ‘Fellow in Social Statistics’. Comments on W.M. (Bill) Williams [BW], SU Sociology and Anthropology Professor, assisting in his social science career, mentions Violet Cane his tutor at MCC. Comments on Glanmor Williams [GW], his relation to BW, also the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies [FES]. Mentions BW in the development of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Mentions being a member of FSSU (Federated Superannuation System for Universities). Describes his own early career interests and research (aided by BW direction), mentions Aberdare housing study and interest in Brian Wilson’s work. RS explains his fast career progression to Lecturer in Sociology (1968); remarks on sense of being over promoted, mentions the Robbins Report [1963]. [00:15:56] Discussion on SU’s Sociology Department being ‘ahead of the curve’; remarks on GW and BW, remembers their belief in FES combined Honours degrees. Briefly mentions Phd student David Herbert. Emphasises the importance of GW in life of SU. [00:19:27] RS remarks on general ‘invisibility’ of Swansea before arriving, comments favourably upon his first impressions (1964), except the lunar landscape of train approach. Mentions importance of the SU setting and Mumbles in bringing students to Swansea. Remembers SU campus; campus entrances, nissan huts, computer facility, his office in the Social Studies Building (won an architectural award). Describes punch card equipment for data analysis in house, and how the Computer Department (headed by Mike Gurr) worked at SU; remarks on incredible changes in calculation tools in his time. Discusses roles of secretarial staff at SU, their importance, comments on the effect of changes at SU to their roles. [00:29:14] RS comments on his personal circumstances and relationship with staff and students in early years - remembers role as an ‘associate’ of a halls of residence. Comments on student and staff interaction in Faculty of Social Science. [00:33:26] RS comments on changes in the laws relating to homosexuality in his lifetime, especially regard to same sex marriage, mentions the British Social Attitudes Survey. Discusses important change in attitudes of students to university system early in his career, mentions student protests – Paris, LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science); gives opinion on why change occurred – talks about consumer revolution. Further discussion on change in Homosexuality law (1967); RS remarks on wider agenda - after labours election in 1964, especially when Roy Jenkins – Home Secretary; talks about Wolfenden Report (1956) and injustices apparent – homosexuality (Alan Turing), back street abortion, capital punishment (Ruth Ellis) - explains his intellectual interest in issues of the time. Remarks on attitude to social issues particularly homosexuality and proportional representation in SU (circa 1964). Comments on why surprised at student unrest from 1968. [00:42:41] RS discusses his appointment as a lecturer (1968) before becoming an accredited sociologist and how it affected his career and research areas; refers to involvement in survey by Chris Harris [CH] on Swansea student community (report - circa 1969/70), and BW’s decisions on RS’ lecture subjects (demography). [00:46:42] RS remembers Swansea during period of unrest (1960’s); further explains why surprised by unrest - mentions BSC Economics degree (low 1965 intake), describes social importance of Gregynog [Hall in Newtown]. Gives opinion on why unrest began and what it led to in time– staff student committees (BW-chaired), non-exam based University system (Open University [OU] influenced). Gives his general opinion on the unrest; describes gulf between prime movers and the rest of staff and students – talks about the Association of University Teachers (AUT), mentions Colwyn Williamson [CW]. [00:53:49] RS draws comparison between SU and Oxford and Cambridge – comments on marking protocols and ‘aping’ of hierarchies within SU and education generally. [00:56:27] RS describes his colleagues at SU School of Social Studies – talks about CH – valuable colleague (later professor of Sociology), briefly remarks on CH’s career and mentions his study with Colin Rosser in Swansea– well received, briefly mentions similar study by Wilmott and Young. Brief digression to comment on importance of sociologists knowing adjacent disciplines. Remarks on other important colleagues – Margaret Stacy (Banbury Study), Dr Joe Louden (mentions Tristan Da Cunha data), Peter Harris Jones (mentions work on Zambian Copperbelt) also PhD student Colin Bell. RS comments on his social life with colleagues and his early personal circumstances. [01:01:44] RS comments on effect of the Robbins Report on university expansion, its consequences for employment, and for his own department. Further comments on how mainly small nature of his department affected his research; explains BW enlarged department as Chairman of West Glamorgan Health Authority – gave opportunities for health research. RS remarks on wide range of his research – based on relationships with people in and around the University, gives examples. [01:07:25] RS comments on department’s effectiveness at relating to the local region, gives examples. Talks about the position of the Welsh language at SU, formally and socially, when he started compared to present day; relates to demographics of students. Further explains the effect of the OU on university student recruitment, remarks on importance of this for SU – talks about rise in recruitment of ‘mature students’ via access courses. [01:13:43] RS comments on Principals of SU including Frank Llewellyn–Jones, Robert Steel; remarks favourably on GW - mentioned as a possible principal. RS comments on Brian Clarkson, principal at time of Philosophy Department problems; discusses the situation; agrees with a comment in report by Ken Morgan (Head of Aberystwyth University) about CW and Professor Dewi Phillips dispute [01:19:22] RS comments on important change in computing at SU, describes a study (RS involved) – ‘The technical educational and social implications of having computer terminals in halls of residence’ (circa 1985); describes the study, mentions Phil Brady, Alan Gilmore and Tony Ollier, also involved. RS describes a study (1990s) of the Anglican community in Wales – RS invited to join by CH, (aside to remark on the wide range of his own research) – ‘The Church in Wales a Traditional Institution’ study published 1999 [Correct title ~1]. RS mentions being an honorary research fellow at SU – since retirement. [01:24:21] RS comments on the circumstances of his early retirement. Remarks on why he stayed in Swansea; talks about enjoying a sabbatical to Cornell University, America (1980-1981) and applying for jobs outside SU. Comments favourably on his long association with SU, mentions dispute with USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme). Talks appreciatively of his departmental heads - BW, CH and Professor Reg Byron, and colleagues at SU; comments on the nature of the department allowing free thinking in his research. Further comments on feeling SU offered a ‘liberated lifestyle’; remarks on open nature of campus, sports facilities, free car parking. |