Vale: George Singer
Professor George Singer, 1922 - 2009.
La Trobe University Foundation Professor of Psychology, George Singer – whose lasting contribution is the establishment of the School of Psychological Science now housed in a building that bears his name – died in July after a long illness, aged 87.
Professor Singer joined the University in 1972 and retired in 1987. He served as Dean of the School of Behavioural Science and Director of the influential Brain-Behaviour Research Institute (BBRI) which he established.
Born in Vienna, he left for Britain at the age of 17 after the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, settling eventually in Sydney where he completed a diploma in industrial chemistry and set up a highly successful business.
His interest in staff morale, particularly in industry, took him to the University of Sydney where he graduated with honours in psychology, an MA and a PhD and also lectured in psychology from 1964 to 1967. In 1968 he was appointed Associate Professor in psychology at Macquarie University. Professor Singer became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; received the Austrian Cross (1st Class) for his contributions to science and served as Honorary Director of the Beijing Behavioural Research Institute.
Improving life of workers
He also became increasingly interested in the implications of basic psychological research as a way of improving the life of workers and developed and directed many studies into health, shift work, stress and the physiological costs of work.
Author of more than 200 papers, chapters and books on various aspects of psychology, especially in the area of psychobiology, he was an early and strong proponent of mental and physical exercise to combat the effects of degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Professor Singer was closely involved with the Australian Psychological Society for 30 years, serving as president from 1975 to 1976.
He is survived by Lisl, his wife of 64 years, and their two children, Frances and Gary.