Author: Sean

Now that 2022 is nearly 60% complete it seemed past time to update my blog with some recent publications. So far this year my work has continued to focus on major topics in astrobiology: the origin of life, habitability, and the recognition of "false positives" in the search for life on Mars. At the beginning … Continue reading New work: origins, habitability, false biosignatures

In February this year I had the privilege of speaking at the Oxford Union, a well known debating society run by students of my alma mater. I was invited to oppose the motion "This House Would Populate Mars" in an evening debate. I opposed the motion for three reasons: the extreme unpleasantness of human life … Continue reading Oxford Union speech

As part of my studies towards a formal qualification in "academic practice", I was required to compose "a personal reflection on leadership styles and approaches to leadership in higher education". The following screed resulted. There must be such a thing as leadership style, since anybody in a position of leadership (whatever that means) is going … Continue reading Leadership Styles in Higher Education