Audio Description

Oral history interview with William Kellogg, 1987. Interviewed by Ed Wolff. 1 sound cassette (ca. 1 hr.) : analog, mono. 1 compact disc : digital, stereo. AMS 38; three physical versions (one master, two copies). Transcript (18 pgs.). Forms part of UCAR/NCAR Oral History Collection. William Kellogg begins by describing his first acquaintance with the NCAR concept, and his belief in the benefits of team research or big science. He notes the first retreat meeting at Keystone and offers examples of problems that required an interdisciplinary approach. He mentions chairing a group for a larger study called the "Study of Critical Environmental Problems" ("SCEP" study for short), which wrote on human influences on climate, and discusses the challenges of getting scientists to work together, relating an anecdote about having to fire a dynamic meteorologist. He mentions the increase over time in interdisciplinary work including Metromex, which provided a model for other projects, and discusses the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Geophysical Year (IGY), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He details his approach to encouraging interdisciplinary work at NCAR and notes the Line Island Experiment as a successful model. Kellogg continues by describing his experience with the Joint Evaluation Committee, and the increasing importance of atmospheric chemistry work. He mentions several influential people, especially Rex, and offers his recommendations for the future of NCAR, including expanding the post-doc program. He then details the changing relationship between NCAR and universities, and points out the positive light in which the international scientific community holds NCAR.