Abstract
The first part of this book presents a history of the development of Quaternary research across these islands within the context of earlier studies conducted primarily across northwest Europe. The topic is introduced with an emphasis on botanical and palaeoecological developments, but then proceeds to demonstrate how these and other disciplines naturally came together to form the discipline we are familiar with today. A firm foundation of established references forms the basis of this section, many of which are not instinctively cited nowadays. It is important for students of Quaternary researcher to be aware of their academic origins, and while the focus of this account leads the reader specifically towards Sir Harry Godwin and the establishment of the Subdepartment of Quaternary research in 1948, it serves to provide a concise yet important history of the evolution of the subject at risk of being lost or forgotten.
Following early developments, the second part of the book describes the formation, structure and activities of the Subdepartment of Quaternary research, University of Cambridge as a ‘mirror of the wider development of the subject’. This section outlines a number of the significant developments made by the Subdepartment members from its formation in 1948 to its dissolution in 1994. Some charming insights into the day-to-day activities are included which serve to convey the shared enthusiasm and mutual support that flourished in this diverse and outward-looking research ‘family’. The author also identifies the value and need for continuing development of reference collections and the archival of data.
Much of the short history of the Subdepartment is drawn from the Annual Reports, which likely do not capture all activities, collaborations or developments, but provide nevertheless a solid structure and overview for this section. A wide range of activities is detailed, but the account leans more towards botanical rather than palaeo-oceanographic or stable isotopic themes which later also became significant research foci for the Subdepartment and wider British Quaternary research community.
The author takes a novel approach to presenting the activities of the Subdepartment through a series of simple subject-specific graphs charting the number of publications produced each year. When viewed together, these figures make an impressive collection, given that even at the dissolution of the Subdepartment in 1994, electronic submission and access to on-line (Internet) publications was limited. Viewed individually, some of these graphs appear rather meagre, describing the rise or lifetime of research foci in what may only appear to be a handful of outputs. I feel therefore that this approach may fail to capture the innovative nature of the work or indeed its legacy.
In the third and final part of this book, the author presents a wider view of personal reflections on the development of several aspects of Quaternary research up to and following the dissolution of the Subdepartment in 1994. While not an exhaustive history, numerous key advances made across the British and Irish Quaternary research communities are identified, described and placed into a wider context. The final pages of the book consider the greater Quaternary research community and the origins of the Quaternary Research Association.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I review it from a position of personal positive ‘bias’ having been a member of the Subdepartment of Quaternary research during the 1990s. The author writes with a unique breadth of experience and expertise, conveying a passion and enthusiasm for Quaternary research and the benefits of natural inter-disciplinarity. The decision to develop the story of the Subdepartment as a reflection of the British and Irish Quaternary research community has considerable merit, but as the author also identifies, there are some limitations and potential omissions in the reporting of our wider research history elsewhere associated with such an approach.
Aside from the historical aspects of this text, several points made by the author resonate personally. First, there is a need to preserve inter-disciplinarity and links with the parent subjects. Such links should not be forced, but there are many mutually beneficial transferrable skills, techniques and philosophies that may be shared through research and teaching. Second, the developments and advances outlined for the Subdepartment (applicable also elsewhere) would not have been possible without a fully integrated, highly skilled and valued team of research technicians and support staff. Finally, there exists a continuing tendency towards researcher specialisation. This is unavoidable as it reflects the increased technicality of the discipline, institutional expectations and national research assessments. In consideration of these many pressures and the continuing need to better understand the functioning of the Earth system, the role of organisations such as the Quaternary Research Association to maintain an outward-looking inter-disciplinary forum and subject-specific working groups is more important than ever.