Summary of Interview of Alison Richard, part one
In this first part of an interview with Alison Richard, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, she reflects on her life, upbringing, and academic journey. Born in Bromley, Kent, in March 1948, Alison shares insights into her family background, including her father's adventurous life in South America and her mother's strong influence as a caregiver and volunteer. Despite her parents not having formal university education, they fostered a love of learning in her, leading to her academic success.
Alison recounts her early education at a private girls' school, where she faced strict discipline but also developed a passion for literature and the arts. She later attended Queenswood, a boarding school that further cultivated her interests and academic abilities. Throughout her schooling, she encountered various teachers who inspired her, particularly in the fields of Latin and English, and she acknowledges the impact of these educators on her career trajectory.
She describes her time at Cambridge, where she initially pursued archaeology and anthropology, influenced by her experiences in fieldwork and the mentorship of notable professors. Alison expresses a fascination with human evolution and social behavior, which guided her to focus on biological anthropology. Her PhD research in Madagascar explored the relationship between environment and social behavior in lemurs, a project that was both challenging and rewarding.
Alison also touches on her personal life, including her marriage to Richard Duer, an archaeologist, and their shared academic pursuits. She reflects on the importance of music in her life, particularly her love for opera, and discusses her religious background, identifying herself as an agnostic. The conversation highlights her belief in the value of interdisciplinary scholarship and the role of faith in academic discourse.
Overall, the interview provides a comprehensive look at Alison Richard's formative years, her academic influences, and her contributions to anthropology and higher education.
Presenters/Contributors
- Alison Richard (Vice Chancellor, University of Cambridge)
Notable Quotes
— 06:06 — « My mother was a feisty person and she did go to LSE and she did an arming degree and in fact loved working as a what would now be called a medical social worker. »
— 17:54 — « The way that many women live their lives is more akin to the composition of a patchwork quilt. »
— 18:20 — « I must look like a person who has led a very linear life... I don't feel that way at all about my life. »
— 40:41 — « I would classify myself as an agnostic... you cannot know enough to know that there is nothing that you don't understand. »
— 41:40 — « I think that there are a multitude of very distinguished believing scientists. »
Category
News and Commentary