Archival Resources Details
Conversations with Australian Scientists - Records
- Collection Title
- Conversations with Australian Scientists - Records
- Repository
- Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science
- Reference
- MS 240
- Date Range
- 1992 - 2025
- Description
Over 100 interviews with outstanding Australian scientists. Discussion includes early life, development of interest in science, mentors, research work and other aspects of their careers. The program was also known as 'Interviews with Australian Scientists' (2004-2012) and 'Video Histories of Australian Scientists' (1993-2004). The collections remains open and new materials will be added.
Dr Max Blythe of the Royal College of Physicians and Oxford Brookes University Video Archive in Great Britain was instrumental in helping the Academy establish the Video Histories program. Between 1987 and 1998 Dr Blythe undertook 19 interviews of Academy Fellows, many of whom were also Fellows of the Collegeof Physicians. The Academy then expanded its activity to include interviews with Fellows working in the physical sciences. The remainder of the recordings have been carried out by a range ofinterviewers, including Academy Fellows Professors Bob Crompton and Frank Fenner, and science writers and journalists Mr David Salt, Ms Nessy Allen, Dr Norman Swan and Professor Robyn Williams (who is also a Fellow).
The website with the first transcripts went online in August 2000 and the program invested energy in ensuring women and early career researchers were also captured in interviews. The program was closed in 2012 having interviewed over 150 scientists. A pilot program captured a further seven interviews in 2021, and the full program retitled, 'Conversations with Australian Scientists' (CWAS) was re-established in 2025. CWAS provides audio interviews rather than video content.
- Formats
- Audio, Digital, Video and Photographs
- Quantity
- 159 Parts
- Access
- Access open for research