Category: Personal

Join me this Wed, Feb 10, 3 pm (UK): “How to improve the world, on a small budget” webinar

This week, I am joining a webinar discussion about Navjot Sawhney’s experience of running the social enterprise “The Washing Machine Project”. We reflect on what other businesses seeking to put people and the planet before profit may learn from Sawhney’s experience, as well as broader lessons for entrepreneurs working with a very small budget. This is … Continue reading Join me this Wed, Feb 10, 3 pm (UK): “How to improve the world, on a small budget” webinar

What I have been reading

I have been sharing short reviews of the books that I am reading on Instagram, generating interesting comments, great suggestions for additional readings (and a video), and even a lovely (socially distanced) catch-up with a friend I hadn't seen in 6 or so years! I thought that I would share the reviews, here, too. Who … Continue reading What I have been reading

January 2021 Round-up

New month, new year… and new lockdown. It looks like it will be a long one, given the terrible numbers of infections and deaths. Image source So, it’s back to home schooling and online teaching. In a nutshell, a lot of screen time for all of us! This month, we tried something new: online cooking … Continue reading January 2021 Round-up

Musical diary 2020

Here is the playlist of songs that marked my year. Unsurprisingly, 2020’s list is dominated by tunes that remind me of the Covid-19 pandemic, and of being in lockdown. For instance, Under Pressure reminds me of the four of us living, working, schooling, exercising, etc… in a small flat; and The Middle reminds me of … Continue reading Musical diary 2020

[Miscellany] Christmas is here, again

Just like that (or what feels like “just like that” to me – maybe for those working in health services it feels never ending), it is December, and Christmas is around the corner. Four days’ away, to be precise. And, after that, the New Year. If you live in the Western Hemisphere, and if you … Continue reading [Miscellany] Christmas is here, again

Day in the Life of an Academic #11: Lockdown 2

November 5th marked the start of the second national lockdown in England. Lockdown 2 shouldn’t be particularly inconvenient as far as my household is concerned, given that schools and universities are still running, that we have more space, and that our way of life changed since last March (meaning that it doesn’t represent such a drastic … Continue reading Day in the Life of an Academic #11: Lockdown 2

October 2020 round-up

This month included 2 weeks of half-term for the kiddo. Since we did not use camps, and there were limited opportunities to meet friends, this created some challenges. So, it’s a good thing that the month started well (as far as productivity is concerned). Time blocks worked well for me, as did weekly and daily … Continue reading October 2020 round-up

What I am reading: “Happy Ever After” by Paul Dolan

I joined the LSE alumni book club and, this month, we are looking at the book “Happy Ever After” by Paul Dolan. Discussion questions include “Is Happy Ever After a myth?”. “What social stories have we experienced and do they make us happier?” or “Have you been able to break free of narrative traps and … Continue reading What I am reading: “Happy Ever After” by Paul Dolan

“Coping with chatbot service failure” webinar, 15th September, free

I am delivering a guest talk at BML Munjal University (India) on how customers react to failed service interactions with chatbots. Chatbots promise to deliver better customer experience through the collection and use of customer insight, and at a fraction of the cost of staff-based customer service. However, interactions with chatbots often fall below customer … Continue reading “Coping with chatbot service failure” webinar, 15th September, free