20 questions with Hal Cooper
Tea with a Research Manager
Organisation: University of Oxford
GPI role: Research Manager, Parenting within the Preschool System in Malaysia
We sit down with Hal Cooper to learn how he got to GPI, his love for music, and his future aspirations.
1. What was your role at GPI and how did you end up there?
I work as a research manager on the Parenting within the Preschool System in Malaysia project. My previous experience researching parenting for my master’s at Oxford led me to seek an opportunity to do my PhD. So I met with Jamie and Francis to talk about what I was interested in, which was how parents can support children’s early learning. I was introduced to the GPI project in Malaysia focusing on promoting positive, playful parenting and improving a child’s educational outcomes. It made sense to me to take on the opportunity as it matched my interests and what GPI was looking for at the time.
2. Where are you currently based?
I am based in Oxford.
3. What’s exciting about your field of research?
Learning! It's fascinating to learn the significant role parents play as educators. Parents are their children's first teachers, and their close relationship with their kids helps prepare them for school.
4. Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Oxford and I’ve stayed a bit in South Africa and Italy.
5. What do you miss the most about being a child?
I miss having time to be free, doing fun activities, the flexibility, not making plans, and being spontaneous.
6. If you could liken your personality to any item, what would it be and why?
Radio, because I talk a lot and play music just like the radio.
7. Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
Extrovert! I enjoy conversing with people, and I enjoy people’s company.
8. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I worked as an assistant to a gardener. He was very smart and knowledgeable about nature, I learned a lot about gardening but it was exhausting.
9. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities for your leisure time?
A little bit of both depending on my mood and the weather.
10. If you could swap jobs with anyone in the world for a day, who would it be and why?
I would be a musician playing folk music, but without the fame.
11. What’s the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child?
My older brothers made me believe a lot of things that were not true when we were younger.
12. If you had to give a 30-minute presentation on any topic without any prepared PowerPoint presentation or notes, what would you talk about?
I would talk about music or football.
13. And do you have a karaoke song of choice?
I don’t have a go-to song, but I would choose a cheesy pop song from the 90s. Something that would get the rest of the bar singing, maybe in the UK it would be Robbie Williams.
14. Do you have a pet peeve?
Latecomers. Lateness is selfish.
15. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring (assuming food and water are provided)?
A guitar, book(s), and paints.
16. If you could create a new workplace tradition, what would it be?
A jam session! Instead of conversing over food and drinks, I would suggest that we play instruments, sing and have fun.
17. If you could only drink one for the rest of your life, would you choose coffee or tea?
Coffee with milk and one sugar.
18. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My family has taught me a principle of life to live by; try and be kind in every situation.
19. How do you like to celebrate your achievements?
I’m very bad at celebrating my achievements, but my ideal celebration would be a gathering of close friends and family.
20. Do you have plans or aspirations for the next few years?
Finish my PhD! Do well, make sure that the work we do has a good impact on communities, and graduate in due time. Carry on getting good international experience, and experience working with different kinds of communities.
