Author Archives: Austin

About Austin

Middle-aged grouchy white male. Hair greying but hasn't all fallen out yet. Spreading waistline ill-concealed by baggy jumper.Semi-extinguished physiology researcher turned teacher. Known for never shutting up. Father of two children (aged 6 and 2) who try to out-talk him. Some would call that Karmic Revenge.

Shame. Or should that be ‘Postdocalypse’?

Not IUPS-related tonight – but something that should concern the people there – should concern *us*. Especially the people WITH senior positions. Scientific research has a lot going for it as a job. There’s the big money, for a start. … Continue reading

Posted in Science policy, The Life Scientific, Uncategorized, Universities | 5 Comments

IUPS Part 1

A dispatch from the IUPS conference in Birmingham. I have to admit to some trepidation when it comes to big international mega-conferences like the IUPS (International Union of Physiological Sciences). They have never entirely agreed with me. The first conference … Continue reading

Posted in Conferences, Grumbling, Medicine, Physiology, Universities | Comments Off on IUPS Part 1

Happy Birthday DC

It is a pleasure to wish a Happy Birthday today to my friend Professor David Colquhoun, who, as he reaches the palindromic age of 77, is still fighting the various fights for good science – and reality in general – … Continue reading

Posted in Getting old, History, Pseudoscience, The Life Scientific, Uncategorized, Universities | 2 Comments

Father’s Day

I must admit I hadn’t noticed it was Father’s Day until I switched on the computer this morning, what with us being a notoriously ‘Something’s Day’-averse lot at Chez Elliott. I was, BTW, not woken with croissants and coffee. let … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

I blame the parents

From time to time, I am given to wondering why I have achieved so little in life generally. Answers suggested by my friends and family have included ‘laziness’ ‘not trying hard enough’ ‘lack of confidence’ ‘too unfocussed’ ‘too much procrastinating’ … Continue reading

Posted in Family business, Getting old, Grumbling, Humour, Procrastination | 4 Comments

Gerald Elliott 1931-2013

                                                    Gerald Elliott  26th January 1931 – 6th March 2013   The media this week has … Continue reading

Posted in Family business, Getting old, History, The Life Scientific, Uncategorized | 6 Comments