Tag Archives: PhD

PhD interview disaster (Rousse)

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Dreamaticus

The printed schedule for interviewing the PhD candidates was littered with typos. Then one of my colleagues invited the first applicant to sit in the interview of the second, which was now running 30 minutes late. This was completely out … Continue reading →

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Rousse loses it at a meeting

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Dreamaticus

I was officially hopeless. At a meeting at work: I couldn’t remember PhD student L’s name and mistakenly introduced her to everyone as “Valerie”. My old colleague JB, with whom I had last worked in 1999, took my place in … Continue reading →

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A posh yacht passenger and a PhD (Rousse)

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Dreamaticus

I ran up to the deck when I heard that the CalMac ferry was stopping in the Minch to collect the dirty washing from a posh yacht. Helpful as ever, I lent a hand to winch the bundle of clothes … Continue reading →

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Rousse tweets academic Victorian music hall performance

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Dreamaticus

At one of the most bizarre professional events that I had ever attended, my PhD supervisor stood at the microphone and introduced the first act to come on stage. One of my external examiners, dressed like a Victorian music hall … Continue reading →

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PhD graduation outfit and the Post Office impress (Rousse)

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Dreamaticus

Across the corridor I heard ECM squeal when she took delivery of her graduation gown and hood. The latter was most unusual, taking the form of an air force blue silk padded bomber jacket. ECM would look quite the star … Continue reading →

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Missing the tide to Holy Island (Rousse)

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Dreamaticus

It was as if nothing could spoil our fun on this gloriously sunny day – until we realised that it was impossible to drive across to Holy Island by car when the tide was in. SL made a weak attempt … Continue reading →

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Natural sanitary products in store at Gayfield Square (Rousse)

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Dreamaticus

As I stood at the pedestrian crossing on Leith Walk I noticed that a PhD student was also waiting to cross the road. “Have you been to the craft shop in Gayfield Square” she asked me. When I replied that … Continue reading →

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The conference trap (Rousse)

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Dreamaticus

I was trapped at yet another dreary conference for PhD students. By Day 2 most people had given up on the programme and headed back to their offices to get on with some “real” work. Unfortunately for me, I was … Continue reading →

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Adventures in Aberystwyth (Rousse)

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Dreamaticus

Aberystwyth was buzzing with activity: ET-S was organising some event to collect data for her doctoral research; I was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the university; the theatre was running a “white festival” where everyone dressed in white; … Continue reading →

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Mafia threat over late PhD (Rousse)

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Dreamaticus

The Mafia boss grabbed both my wrists, pulled me within inches of his ugly mug, and spat out his threat: “If you don’t finish that PhD soon, I’ll sue you for the sponsorship money”.

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