Zuckerman Archive: University of East Anglia

This material is held atUniversity of East Anglia Archives

  • Reference
    • GB 1187 SZ/UEA
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1959-1993
  • Language of Material
    • English.
  • Physical Description
    • 8 boxes; ten files; 1.5 metres

Scope and Content

Sub-file SZ/UEA/2/2 [Executive Committee] Miscellaneous Documents, 1959-1961 includes 'Submissions to the University Grants Committee for the Establishment of a University of East Anglia, Norwic, University Promotion Committee, Norwich, 1959; 'University Grants Committee, Returns from Universities and University Colleges ... 1958-1959, HMSO, 1960, Cmnd.1166; draft Charter and Statutes for UEA; a paper by D.G. Christopherson, The Durham Colleges; papers descriptive of the Department of Ergonomics and Cybernetics at Loughborough College of Technology [later Loughborough University], 1960; papers relating to the UEA Appeal, 1960; and draft and final versions of the Charter of Sussex University, 1961.

File SZ/UEA/4, Correspondence, 1959-1992, contains correspondence with Noel Annan, 1961; Prof. Derek Burke (Vice-Chancellor), 1987-1993; Prof. T.A. Bennet-Clark, 1962; the Earl of Cranbrook, 1961, 1978; Sir Roy Harrod, 1959-1961; Sir Christopher Ingold, 1960-62; Lord Mackintosh of Halifax, 1960-62; Registrars (G.A.Chadwick and M. Paulson-Ellis), 1962-1990; Prof. Frank Thistlethwaite (Vice-Chancellor), 1961-1990; Prof. Sir Michael Thompson (Vice-Chancellor), and Lady Thompson, 1982-1993; Gordon Tilsley, 1959-1962; the University Grants Committee and the Privy Council, 1960-1971; Prof. C.H. Waddington, 1960-61; and Prof. Charles Wilson, 1960-61. There is also a file of Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1960-1992. The correspondence deals chiefly with the establishment of the University, and the appointment of its first Vice-Chancellor.

File SZ/UEA/6 is a slim file that includes papers relating to a visit by Solly Zuckerman to the School of Biological Sciences, 3 April 1971, to discuss with faculty ways of planning for expansion.

File SZ/UEA/7 deals with the Course Unit Chemistry and Society, in which Zuckerman participated.

File SZ/UEA/8 deals with discussions on introducing studies in Human or Behavioural Sciences (1964); an invitation to Zuckerman to give a lecture for the introductory course on British Politics (1978); discussions with faculty on research into social and economic change, and a Colloquium on Atlantic Studies (1982); an invitation to address the Politics Society (1987); and the MA in International Relations (1988).

File SZ/UEA/9, School of Environmental Sciences, 1961-1993, includes Zuckerman's Paper on Environmental Sciences submitted to the Academic Planning Board, 1961; papers of the Working Party on the Proposed School of Environmental Sciences, 1965; records of the programme of Ford Foundation Seminars, 1970-75; papers relating to climate research at UEA, 1970-1985; and papers relating to the Wolfson Chair in Environmental Risk Assessment, 1983-85.

The programme of seminars on environmental issues that is the subject of Sub-sub-file SZ/UEA/9/3 was Zuckerman's brainchild and for it he secured funding from the Ford Foundation. The object was to bring together scientists, civil servants, politicians, and representatives of local government and business to consider key environmental issues. The proceedings of most of the seminars were subsequently published.

Professor Keith Clayton proposed establishing a Scientific Advisory Group for the School of Environmental Sciences in 1987, the purpose of which was to assist the School in maintaining the momentum of its research in a climate of cuts in university funding nationally. The creation and work of this group is the subject of Sub-sub-file SZ/UEA/9/8. The proposal had the backing of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derek Burke, and was warmly endorsed by Solly Zuckerman. Zuckerman was invited to chair the Group and was instrumental in securing for it the services of a number of leading figures across the spectrum of disciplines in which the School carried out research, or which it taught.

Administrative / Biographical History

Solly Zuckerman had a general interest in the expansion of provision for university education in Britain in the 1960s by virtue of his activities as deputy Chairman of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy (ACSP) and Chairman of the ACSP's Committee on Scientific Manpower (to which Series SZ/ACSP refers). His particular involvement in the creation of a university in Norwich was influenced by the city's relative proximity to his long-time holiday home in Burnham Thorpe and pressure from his North Norfolk neighbour, Sir Roy Harrod.

In 1959 Zuckerman was appointed to the Executive Committee and to its advisory Academic Planning Board, and was consequently closely involved with the initial development of the academic profile of the University. In particular he can be considered the begetter of the School of Environmental Sciences. Zuckerman worked closely with the School and its founding Dean, Professor Keith Clayton, for the rest of his life.

Arrangement

  • SZ/UEA/1 Promotion Committee, 1959-1961
  • SZ/UEA/2 Executive Committee, 1959-1970 [in three subfiles]
  • SZ/UEA/3 Academic Planning Board: Agenda, Minutes and Documents, 1960-62, 1968 [in four sub-files]
  • SZ/UEA/4 Correspondence, 1959-1992 [in 15 sub-files]
  • SZ/UEA/5 Bid to Wolfson Foundation (School of Health; Environmental Sciences Building), 1991
  • SZ/UEA/6 School of Biological Sciences, 1967, 1971, 1982
  • SZ/UEA/7 School of Chemistry, 1974
  • SZ/UEA/8 School of Economic and Social Studies, 1964, 1978, 1981-82, 1987-88
  • SZ/UEA/9 School of Environmental Sciences, 1961-1993 [in nine sub-files]
  • SZ/UEA/10 Miscellaneous Documents, 1959, 1962-64, 1970, 1974

Provisional arrangement. More material may come to light.

Access Information

Access to all files is restricted.

Note

BG; DNS