Something for your weekend: The Joy of Data

What? A one hour documentary, presented by mathematician Dr Hannah Fry, exploring ‘Data’ – what it is, why it is valuable, and issues around collecting, storing and using it. Where? I first saw it on BBC iPlayer, but you can also access it on Youtube. So what? Like many other BBC science documentaries, this one offers … Continue reading Something for your weekend: The Joy of Data

Something for your weekend: Social media reviews of 2016

We are now well into December and social media are full of 2016 reviews, and 2017 predictions. Here are two that caught my attention. YouTube Rewind More than 200 YouTubers and personalities got together to relive some of 2016’s crazes – there is dabbing, and bottle flipping, and pineapple pen apple pen, and mannequin … Continue reading Something for your weekend: Social media reviews of 2016

November 2016 round up

This month was dominated by starting the new job. In the first half of the month, it was all about wrapping up various matters, saying good-byes, and the emptying the office at the previous job. Then, the second half, was about settling in at the new place. Amid all these changes, there were the following … Continue reading November 2016 round up

Day in the Life of an Academic #6: new job

This is quite an unusual 'day in the life of an academic' blogpost, as it focuses on the first day at my new job and, admittedly, changing jobs is not something that I do frequently. This is what I got up to last Wednesday, November 16th. I got up at 6am, as usual. … Continue reading Day in the Life of an Academic #6: new job

Should gyms be fun or hardwork?

I am quite annoyed with myself. You see, I usually pride myself of seeing through tempting packaging or sales deals, and base my purchase decisions on the product and its value for me, more than anything else. Yet, here I am, very foolishly mourning the fact that the gym that I usually … Continue reading Should gyms be fun or hardwork?

June 2016 round up

Brexit. That’s what dominated my June 2016 – first, the worry about it; then, the feeling of despair at the outcome. Which is a shame, because there were many good things happening this month, too, such as the graduation ceremonies. Moving on… Here are my highlights from June. Tell me yours, in the comments … Continue reading June 2016 round up

May 2016 round-up

Well, I may ready for warm weather; but the warm weather is not ready for me. While we had some nice days here and there, it is now early June and I still need my duvet! In May, I did my first race – it was a last minute decision; there was no preparation and … Continue reading May 2016 round-up

Consumer education: how can we make salt’s harm visible?

Earlier this month, the British Association of Dermatologists published a press release with the highlights from a survey of Britain’s sun protection habits. The highlights included: 80% don’t apply sunscreen before going out in the sun and then shortly afterwards; 70% fail to reapply sunscreen every two hours as recommended; 35% would only seek shade … Continue reading Consumer education: how can we make salt’s harm visible?

Oh, don’t you love the smell of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline?

Today, a marketing lesson from the kiddo: What he is talking about, here, is the role of smell as a stimulus. Smell (and other stimuli like colour, temperature, or sounds) can create an affective response in shoppers. This can either be a direct emotional reaction to the stimulus (e.g., the smell makes us feel hungry); or … Continue reading Oh, don’t you love the smell of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline?

April 2016 round-up

It’s Spring, there are flowers peeking everywhere… ... and snow. That’s right. It snowed. At least it melted quickly. I am so ready for warm weather… Here are my highlights for April. Tell me yours, in the comments below. Researching The panel proposal that I was working on last month was rejected. But … Continue reading April 2016 round-up