Back to the 1980s: Reflecting on the early days

After four years it was easy to forget that the sun doesn’t shine every day in England. I recall well the first journey to the University a few days after our arrival in the UK. The rain was pouring down. The University resembled a claypit with a few buildings scattered here and there. The group I was joining was located on what is now known as the East Campus, where we took over a temporary building that the Estates Office had vacated. By 1981, the MRG had morphed into the IER and is now well-established on the central campus.

What were these early days like? There were no mobile phones, there was no internet, there were no micro-computers. We did have access to a mainframe computer via terminals in our offices but programming and data processing were slow and tedious processes.

The walk to the library from the East Campus was pleasant enough in summer, but in winter months I am sure research papers were produced with far fewer references! Why did I stay for all these years? The answer is simple – I could not think of a better place to work.

Pursuing our own research interests

The freedom we enjoyed at Warwick to pursue our research interests, as long as they attracted funding, was very different from the more structured environments in many other research-led universities, and that meant researchers were pursuing issues and topics that matched their interests.

My main interest has been, and still is, the need to understand data – what is being measured and how have they been created? Can we rely on different types of data for our research?

This led down some interesting paths, notably the ways in which we collect information about occupations. National projects for statistical offices were followed by international projects, which meant travelling, meeting people, and exploring other people’s jobs all over the world. Then, for almost half my working life, the Economic and Social Research Council hired me as a data advisor. ‘Come and work here in Swindon’ they asked. 'No thanks – nothing can match this job in the IER’ was my reply to this and other opportunities.

Launching the research stars of the future

So, what has been the most memorable part of the job? Without a doubt, seeing young and bright researchers join us, develop their skills and expertise, then move on to new academic posts or research jobs in the public or private sectors. Of the many who have passed through the IER, I cannot think of one who did not benefit from and enjoy their time here. Working with all of them has been a pleasure, but for me, the real stars have been our support staff – clerical officers, data analysts, secretaries and personal assistants. Without the important and often unrecognised contributions that they have made over the years, I doubt that the IER would have seen the success it has achieved."