January, 2023, I’m in southern Germany and should’ve returned to the UK two weeks ago, but… things happened. A few days before the Christmas break, I flew to Germany to visit my cousins in southern Bavaria, Germany. Their dad, my godfather, had died in November and I wanted to provided some comforting support, while also…
Some thoughts on improving the learning experience of students, with ideas based on various conferences, papers and talks
I recently attended the above conference and attended several informative session, on which I will reflect below. There were many more sessions that looked interesting; sometimes one has to make a choice, thus if you want to add your perspective and/or learning in the Comments section, please do! Active Learning session 4: How reading &…
My thoughts on finding a job
I have a dream, and that is to return to Africa in the not too distant future, where I will start the day with a cup of coffee at sunrise, cuddling the dog and maybe have the therapy cat join us. Once we have completed our morning meditation we will, on African time, go to…
Communication is an integral component in the development of scientists, whether the social, physical or life sciences. As I am a card-carrying biochemists teaching students in the Biosciences, my thinking is influenced by that bias and is principally directed at students on my modules and programmes. The points I will try to make should apply…
This was a week of learning, which the quieter weeks of summer allow, before the mad rush of teaching starts again, for me towards the end of September. Thus, I will reflect here on some of the highlights of the last week, with some relevant links and actions on my part. And, before I continue,…
The fantastically crazy German, Frau Hagen, was in town and we were going to have have some fun, that was for sure. But, what to do, so much going on in London… until I saw some toffs all dressed up in Waterloo station – facepalm moment, June… Trooping of the Colour… and off we went…
In this post: Cape Town marathon, Onse Huisie & Table Mountain Wednesday: Further travel was via Aurora and Veldrif in the forlorn hope of seeing more spring flowers, but to no avail. However, we did see some blue cranes, with the female not too keen on the advances of a male (headache?). Thursday and Friday…
Spring “vygies”, Namaqualand Coastal Reserve, South Africa Sunday: We left our riverbed campsite (see previous post: http://wp.me/p38QtC-48) to continue south towards the Namibia/South Africa border via a quick refuel and re-stock in the zinc-mining town of Rosh Pina. The Orange river is the border at this point and we crossed over at Sendlingsdrif on a…
Die pad ist lang (the road is long, “Namibian” German) Wednesday: Tonight I have been watching the sun set behind the hill, hoping that some kudu might provide a nice silhouette, but no luck today. On the animal front, earlier I had spotted some new birds and again heard the fish eagle, but did not see…
This trip to Namibia and South Africa started from London Heathrow Terminal 5 to Windhoek (WDH), Namibia, via Johannesburg (JHB). It’s a 10½ flight to JHB, overnight, thus not too unpleasant, then 2 hrs. to WDH. Windhoek International airport is always an “experience” and not the most welcoming entry into a country. This was reflected…
So, one of my PhD students implied that the last post was a little straight-laced, thus I have recruited some contributors: some of the BSc(Hons) Biochemistry and Biomedical Science students who graduated from the University of Surrey last week. The Graduation is held in the Guildford Cathedral and it was a tad hot. Anyway, it was the…
Last week had some pleasant highlights as we had a Teaching & Learning away day and I travelled to Pontypridd in Wales for a PhD viva. It was a long trip from Guildford to Pontypridd by train (3-4 hours), but the last part of the journey was through the Welsh valleys. Incredibly luscious and green,…
We have all been there, that one method you’re trying to perfect so you can do some amazing work for your thesis, and it just won’t work. For me it’s been the labyrinth-like world of cloning. The very word now sends shivers down my spine and I don’t think it’s a task I will ever…
The travelling [paused] biochemist 