Article ID: CBB782119853

An Introduction to the CSIRO Oral History Collection (2019)

unapi

This paper describes a project to record specialised oral histories of key individuals involved with Australia’s principal scientific research organisation, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The oral histories are intended to complement official governance documents in a larger project to write a history of CSIRO. Oral histories typically include perspectives on family backgrounds and childhood, professional training and career histories. Of particular interest in these interviews is the involvement of interviewees in the management of CSIRO and their reflections on the place of CSIRO in the Australian and international scientific environments. The interviews were conducted mainly by two of the authors (Spurling and Healy), both of whom were well known to the interviewees because they were themselves senior managers in CSIRO and familiar with the topics discussed. These histories are intended to illuminate important personal factors that have influenced decision-making in CSIRO. Also covered are plans to use other collections of interview materials in the CSIRO History Project (CHP), including those conducted by CSIRO historian Boris Schedvin, the Australian Academy of Science and the National Library of Australia. Details are provided of preparations for interviews, recording and transcription and preparation of materials for public access through CSIROpedia.

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Authors & Contributors
Spurling, Thomas H.
Upstill, Garrett
Orchiston, Wayne
Simpson, Gregory W.
Stephen R. Morton
Healy, Terence J.
Journals
Historical Records of Australian Science
Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage
Social Studies of Science
Publishers
Halstead Press
Concepts
Biographies
Biology
Government sponsored science
Land use
Radio astronomy
Science and industry
People
Gani, Joseph
Pearcey, Trevor
Price, James Robert
Rendel, James Meadows
Slatyer, Ralph Owen
Fraser, Robert Donald Bruce
Time Periods
20th century, late
20th century
21st century
20th century, early
19th century
Places
Australia
Sydney (Australia)
Tasmania (Australia)
Papua New Guinea
Institutions
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) (Australia)
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (Australia)
Australian National University
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