Between protests and strikes, I finally found some time to answer some questions. In case you are not aware – idk how that’s possible… do you live on Neptune? – everything is on fire, has been for a long time tbf. So I chose Michel’s question. They ask: I’m lost. I feel like I don’t belong in academia, but neither in industry. What do I do? Dear Michel, Gosh, it has been a long time si ...[Read More]
The hidden effects of academic excellence: workaholism in Academia
Years have passed since I started my academic career, and I have come to realise that, in academia, excellence appears to come with a price tag. Stress and pressure have become commonplace for academics, often normalising certain behaviours such as workaholism. This essay explores how workaholism have become a common practice in these working environments. It was late, the library lights were blin ...[Read More]
From Rocks to Models: Reconciling Field Geology with Geodynamic Simulations
When reading a scientific paper or a text explaining the physical workings of the Earth, one of the most striking aspects is the methodological approach—sometimes involving numerical models, other times fieldwork and/or rock geochemistry. This diversity of approaches can initially cause some discomfort, a feeling that things are like square pegs in round holes. How can a computer model dialogue wi ...[Read More]
How do rocks fail and flow: A beginners guide to rock rheology
The field of rock rheology may seem a bit ‘odd’ at first glance to those geoscientists who are vaguely familiarized with the topic of geodynamics. Often, rocks are considered massive and competent geomaterials that display a sudden (and sometimes violent) brittle failure (earthquake alert!). However, when considering the high temperatures and large timescale characteristics of most geo ...[Read More]