1986/87 Dipak Chaun

Date of MSc 1986/87

Project Title: An Ergonomic Evaluation of Ice (Water) Cooling Garments

Pre-MSc Background: RGN General Nurse, BSc (Hons) Psychology

Pre-MSc background of HCI: Well, it was almost a whole new subject for me and my initial reflections when reading my MSc were, that is what I wanted to do! Lot of medical technology was starting to move towards use of software and poor design issues had prompted me to want to read Ergonomics. Ian Ross who also graduated from EU and my senior and a peer from my undergrad days asked me to check the UCL course out.

I remember visiting the department for my interview and I met Prof Long and Rachel and I was wowed and even more excited, when offered a place on the course.

Of note were the social events both at John’s home in North London with his wife, Doris, and the Christmas parties held at the Royal Free, where we were entertained by Steve Pheasant (who sadly passed away at a young age), playing the saxophone and Don Grieve playing the piano. Ivan Brown and Paul Branton were amazing to listen to, too, with some of the research techniques used by them in their studies, which today would make the ethics committee shiver with fear!

Fond memories of being wowed by Rachel’s work reside in my memory and the site visits certainly made the course practical and interesting. EU at the time in many respects, was at the forefront of HCI and certainly some of the theories and concepts clearly developed around that time: of note is the Conception for HCI, but I must say I am embarrassed to admit I cannot remember what that was about. Perhaps a coffee with Prof and /or Johnny Dowell may jog the grey matter into action.

My MSc year went in a flash and it was a year of work hard and play hard. Prof Long’s inaugural lecture took place that year and we had an intriguingly bright bunch of students, included amongst them were the likes of Leon Straker, now Professor at Curtin, and Mark Andrew, now residing and working in Australia, doing consultancy work and writing plays.

Socialising was not only restricted to the faculty, but I also remember the fond times spent with Steve Howard at his flat in Leyton (who sadly died suddenly last year).

That Prof Long was an intellectual would be an understatment, sitting in his lectures not only inspired the students but at times left them taking a double take and still not comprehending what had been said. John though was an amazing man to be taught by and he was particularly supportive of all his students.

Post MSc:

As it would have it, my first job as an ergonomist was working on the Type 3 Frigate Command and Control System. I soon got offered a job at CCD Design and Ergonomics, where we looked at the application of HCI on a range of projects; but my work was predominantly on conventional ergonomics and HF.

There are many fond moments and people that I could reflect on and talk about. The time spent at EU helped me with a career change and has finally also enabled me to explore the application of EHF in a very complex healthcare system.

John you truly inspired the students and you had that cheeky tenacity to challenge and tease the best out of students, particularly in those study sessions, when visiting PhD students and / or lecturers attended the Unit.

Dipak included these images for old times’ sake from his project report: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON COOLING GARMENTS (NB Dipak is not wearing the vests…..)