| Description | Audio cassette sound recording of an interview with Dr Helen Ross, FBPsS, CPsychol, FRSE, University of Stirling, for the British Psychological Society's Oral History project.
The interview was conducted by Halla Beloff in 2008.
The following summary is by way of introduction to the full recording held at the British Psychological Society's History of Psychology Centre, London.
Performers:
Halla Beloff (HB)
Helen Ross (HR)
Topics:
Side A
HB begins the interview by asking HR a preliminary question regarding HR's attraction to strange environments
HR speaks of her interest in diving (sub-aqua) as a hobby when she was a research student at Cambridge which led her into experiments concerning divers and subsequently the testing of astronauts.
In response to HB's question on the practical uses of diving HR speaks of her interest in the field and its application within the field of space-flight.
HB begins the interview proper by asking HR if her background in London led her to psychology
HR speaks of her medical ambitions in childhood, her family life, her school in South Hampstead, switching from Science to Classics, taking Classics at Oxford and switching from Classics to Psychology.
HR speaks of her two years as a schoolteacher before leaving to become a research assistant with Richard Gregory at Cambridge, HR talks of Richard Gregory and his work philosophy.
HR talks of completing her PhD and her first job at Hull University before moving to Stirling University.
HR speaks of Stirling and compares the area with Hull.
HR talks of her sub-aqua research and based upon Larry Weiskrantz's advice her work with astronauts, weight perception and zero gravity experiments, ERD document requirements, test designs, MRC grants, space shuttle experiments, control experiments, parabolic flights, G- force phases and space labs.
HR talks of her experiences with parabolic flights and zero gravity, meeting astronauts and scientists.
In response to HB's questions HR talks of British women scientists in her field, the future of space flights, her underwater research, her diving experiments, time frames and data collection.
HB asks HR how her colleagues at Stirling reacted to her work in space research.
HR speaks of her long absences from Stirling and time management issues before answering HB's question on her interest in fog.
HB asks HR if shes experienced any difficulties concerning publication of her research.
HR talks of the similarities between applying ffor research grants and the process of publishing her work.
HB asks HR to name her favourite authored book.
HR states her most recent book 'The mystery of the moon illusion : exploring size perception' and her collaboration on the book with her co-author Cornelius Plug.
HR speaks of her work on the history of the studies of perception and her classics background, learning Gaelic since retirement, her interest in the gaelic language and psychology.
When asked by HB for her influences HR replies that Richard Gregory was the most influential along with other scientists from different disciplines.
HB asks HR for other interests separate from her work.
HR talks of her hobbies including; playing in a ceilidh band, folk music, hill-walking, skiing
and her work ethic concerning challenging hobbies.
HR returns to talking about her time at Oxford including, switching to psychology, her psychology Professor Carolus Oldfield , her tutors Michael Argyle, Harry Kay, Tony Deutsch, Diane Deutsch, her fellow psychology students including Philippa Foot, Miss Armstrong and her views on the level of teaching at Oxford during her time there.
HB asks HR to speak of her contributions to the field of psychology.
HR names her books 'Behaviour and perception in Strange Environments, her translation of 'E H Weber on the Tactile Senses' and her latest book 'The mystery of the moon illusion : exploring size perception'.
HR talks of her involvements with the BPS, EPS, and attending conferences
HB asks HR is she has anything to add and HR talks of her fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, her time as Treasurer of the RSE and the election of psychology fellows .
HR reflects on the fact that she has led an interesting life as a psychologist before the recording abruptly ends.
Side A ends
c 48 mins
Side B begins
HR takes to the microphone to add some additional comments including the background required for future psychologists, her time at the Institute for Aerospace Medicine at Bonn (1979 and 1980 to 1981) and her Leverhulme fellowship in 1983-1984.
HR finishes the recording by reflecting on the current workloads for academics, grant proposals, her early retirement in 1990 and subsequent return to part-time work, work-life balances and the pace of academic life.
Side B ends
c 5 mins
Total Running Time: c 53mins
Photograph courtesy of Helen Ross.
Summary by Mike Maskill, BPS Archivist.
Tape converted to digital |
| RunTime | On one D90 cassette, running time c 53 minutes |