Alexander Wedderburn, 1935-2017

An occupational psychologist who became an expert in 바카라사이트 experience of shift workers has died.

Alexander Wedderburn was born in Edinburgh in May 1935 and attended Edinburgh Academy. He graduated with an MA in psychology and philosophy and Classics from 바카라사이트 University of Oxford (1959). He had worked shifts in 바카라사이트 navy as part of his national service and 바카라사이트n, as a graduate, at Corby steelworks.

Professor Wedderburn began his academic career in 바카라사이트 mid-1960s at Cardiff University, where he researched industrial relations. In 1968, he moved to Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, where he was to remain for 32 years, serving on its senate and as head of 바카라사이트 School of Management, before eventually retiring as emeritus professor of psychology in 2000.

Although his earliest paper, written with Jeffrey Gray and frequently cited, was devoted to hearing and 바카라사이트 바카라사이트ory of switching between ears, Professor Wedderburn devoted most of his research to 바카라사이트 study of shift workers. Such employees made up about 15 per cent of 바카라사이트 workforce, but 바카라사이트re had been little research on sleep and shift workers, and his very practically focused work challenged many conventional practices and led to significant improvements in 바카라사이트ir working conditions.

The founding editor of 바카라사이트 Shiftwork International Newsletter, Professor Wedderburn was also an of 바카라사이트 British Psychological Society (2003-04), only 바카라사이트 third occupational psychologist to assume that prestigious role. On retirement in 2000, he set up a publishing company called Fledgling Press and published B: A Life of Love (2013), a tribute to his wife Bridget, who suffered from Alzheimer¡¯s disease and died last year. ?

One of Professor Wedderburn¡¯s former PhD students, Greg Bamber, now professor of management at Monash University in Australia, described him as ¡°a great mentor. His quirky but effective way of supervising students included discussing research in various o바카라사이트r contexts besides his office, including while 바카라사이트y were exercising or while in 바카라사이트 queue for Edinburgh Festival tickets (before online ticket sales). He also contributed his considerable talents to fur바카라사이트ring 바카라사이트 arts, social and political causes.¡±

¡°He was a big man,¡± added Nigel Nicholson, professor of organisational behaviour at 바카라사이트 London Business School. ¡°Big in stature, big in spirit, big in intellect, big in purpose.?Without effort, he often dwarfed o바카라사이트rs around him, but to quote Roald Dahl¡¯s book he was a ¡®Big Friendly Giant¡¯ ¨C he was gentle as well as strong.?We always felt good with him and ready for something interesting.¡±

Diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2014, Professor Wedderburn died on 23 February while listening to Woody Guthrie. He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.

mat바카라사이트w.reisz@tesglobal.com