| Douglas Kean (Updated Bio 10/05/2024)
After graduation, I spent one year as a schoolteacher (maths) before returning to university to do experimental nuclear physics in Canada and Australia, where I got a PhD from the Australian National University. In 1976 I moved to the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation, to do operations research.
After three years, I returned to things nuclear, taking up an analytical position at the Office of National Assessments, to evaluate foreign nuclear programs. I stayed there till 1995, eventually doing long term planning work, then returned to the Department of Defence in the Defence Intelligence Organisation.
I then retired briefly (three days) from the public (civil) service but rejoined the Office of National Assessments in 2001 to head up strategic analysis. I was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2013 (the PSM is known also as the Persistence and Stamina Medal).
With the arrival of Covid in 2020, my doc told me that, given my age, I shouldn't be going into work if that meant lots of meetings in crowded rooms. So I now have a job that involves few meetings and - this is a bonus - not having to supervise staff. My job title is blissfully vague and liberating - ‘Special Advisor'. Essentially, I interfere with other people's work.
Although I have no plans for retirement, I do retire home most weekdays for lunch. I'm in pretty good health, but I can't currently do long-distance travel because of antibiotic-induced damage to my Achilles tendons. I'm very sorry about being unable to attend the 2024 reunion. But I offer my best wishes from down under.
I have two children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Visiting them is a delight for obvious reasons, but also because most of them live in northern Australia (palm trees, coral reefs). I live with Claire in a leafy inner suburb of Canberra, overlooking a big hill that reminds me of the big hill behind Malvern in Worcestershire. My free time is spend on gardening, travel, golf and bushwalking (hiking). Those last two activities are often enjoyed simultaneously.
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