Interview

Telephone interview with Professor Robert H. Grubbs after the announcement of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, October 5, 2005. Interviewer is Joanna Rose, science writer.

 

- Hello.

- Hello. Dr Grubbs?

- Yes.

- This is Joanna Rose from Nobelprize.org ...

- Okay ...

- ... the official site of the Nobel Foundation.

- Yes?

- I wanted just to record some questions and answers from you, about the Prize.

- Okay.

- Congratulations to the Prize.

- Thank you.

- How did you receive this message?

- I was ... at home, recovering from a lecture tour in New Zealand and at home I have ... They put us up in Christchurch; I'm in Christchurch as an Erskine Fellow, giving a lecture course. And I'm just sitting in my home; it's now 11.30 at night, so I ... the end of a long day.

- When did you get the message?

- Just a few minutes ago, a short time ago.

- Did you expect it in any way?

- No. You know, it's one of the things no one ever expects to happen, not usually. But you never expect it.

- It never occurred to you that you could be a Nobel Prize-winner?

- No. You know, that's not one of the things that I'd even ...

- Do you think it will change your future research, or ...?

- I hope not, of course. It's still too early, but I don't think so. I've been enjoying doing what I'm doing for a very long time, so I see no reason to change.

- Do you think that this means some new responsibilities, becoming a Nobel Prize-winner?

- It probably does. But I haven't thought about those yet. I guess so. It's so soon and ... I'm sure that will happen over the next little while.

- I see. Do you have any idea what you will do with the Prize money?

- No, I haven't thought about that. I'm sure we'll find some interesting things to do.

- Are you going to celebrate the Prize now?

- Well, as I say, I'm pretty exhausted and so I will probably have a few drinks and try to get some sleep tonight.

- Thank you very much for being with us tonight.

- Okay. Thanks.

- Goodbye.

- Bye.