Margaret Fidler obtained her PhD in 2002 at the age of 78 and has not stopped there. In addition to her article featured in this issue of Generations Review, Samuel interviewed Margaret to find out more about her inspiring story.

What inspired you to do a PhD in your late seventies?

My education had been interrupted by the war, but I was accepted by Homerton College, Cambridge, for a two-year teaching course (1942-1944). During that time I wrote a required extended essay. Mine was entitled ‘Animals in Wartime’ and I made some contacts which in later years proved very helpful. I always intended to continue with a degree. I then became busy with my teaching jobs, marriage, children etc. but, coming up to retirement, completed a degree with the Open University in Psychology and Philosophy. I continued to be fascinated with attitudes to animals, which I could see changing during my own life. Before about the middle of the last century, ‘animal issues’ were largely ignored, although I have always had an interest in the area, especially animal welfare and our relationships with them. However, had I wished to do this research in my 20’s, I think I would have had considerable difficulty being accepted for it by a university.

Have you any comments about completing a PhD in later life?

I did not find that age itself was a difficulty, except perhaps for some reduction in energy. This however was partly compensated for by my having more time and fewer other pressures. I found one of my special difficulties was becoming familiar with computers. It was not until I began my research that I used one, and at first was greatly alarmed by them (I still am sometimes!). However, I would like to recognise the help given me by young students working in the Hartley Library, who so willingly came to my aid when I got into difficulties downloading things there! They were unfailingly kind and courteous (I chose to ask those who did not seem too engrossed just at that moment).

I found my research years among the most rewarding of my life, being able to look more deeply and widely into a subject which had interested me all my life, and which did not depend on career or work. I wish more older people had this opportunity and that funding could be made available to those who wish to do so. Retirement is a wonderful opportunity to study for a first degree, or to do postgraduate study. With increasing numbers of students attending university, I do feel this must be the way forward. I am most grateful to the University of Southampton for giving me this opportunity, and making my post-retirement years so rewarding.

Where are you based now and what have you been doing since your PhD?

I now work from home in Lymington. My research interests are on the changes in our attitudes to animals, and especially those which have occurred in my own lifetime (i.e. over the past seventy years or so). My writing has, however, lately become more general, rather than academic, in nature. I hope to continue as long as possible, and if possible to reach a wider readership. My two most recent articles have been accepted for publication, one by the Anglican Society for The Welfare of Animals, and the other by The Society for Companion Animal Studies.

Where might BSG members have already heard of or read of your work?  

I have presented at conferences for the British Society of Gerontology and the Society for Companion Animal Studies. I have also published 6 papers in Anthrozoös, the refereed journal of the International Society for Anthrozoology. It publishes papers describing the characteristics and consequences of interactions between people and the living environment. I have also had 11 papers in other journals and newsletters including the Society and Animals: Journal of Human-Animal Studies and the Society for Companion Animal Studies.

Recent publications:

 Fidler, M. 2007. Animals in the London Blitz, 939-1945. Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships: A Global Exploration of our Connection with Animals. Vol. 1. (Ed.) Marc Bekoff. Greenwood Press, Westpoint, Connecticut. London.

Fidler, M. 2007. Animal Immortality: Changing Attitudes and Beliefs. Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships: A Global Exploration of our Connection with Animals. Vol. 2. (Ed.) Marc Bekoff. Greenwood Press, Westpoint, Connecticut. London.

Fidler, M. 2007. Animals with souls like ours. Society for Companion Animal Studies: XIX (3)

Below is a short article by Dr Fidler on her research:

‘Older People, Squeamishness and Respect for Life’

Margaret Fidler

Email: margaret.fidler@tiscali.co.uk

A questionnaire examined whether grandparents were more or less squeamish than their grandchildren. It asked 101 grandparents, and the same number of their student grandchildren, what they would do about a live bee and a live spider on their windowsill. There were three options to tick, either they could kill the insect, put it safely outside, or ask someone else to deal with it.

There was a big difference with the treatment of the spider. The students were considerably more squeamish, with forty-two of them saying they would seek someone else’s help. Grandparents took a far more hands-on approach with only eleven of them prepared to seek assistance.