Dr Emma Bolger

A milestone has been significantly, and quietly, passed: it is over 4 months since I came back to work off maternity leave. A milestone because this date means I've been back at work for over half of my baby daughter's short life already. And we have all survived. I'm continually infuriated by the lack of inclusion of mothers who "go back early" from the maternity leave narrative, the lack of focus on the benefits of and barriers to parental leave, the difficulty in finding baby changing facilities in academic institutions and the fact that my daughter is being set up for a lifetime of disappointment once she realises that girls' and women's clothes don't all contain the multiple pockets she's become accustomed to in her baby wear. But I'm also invigorated by how welcome my baby has been at work. We've joked about how she's clocked up more CPD hours than most in our profession since she arrived in June, but it's true. She&#

Thank you to the 464 respondents to my PhD survey which ran in the second half of 2018.  The draw for 5 x £20 Amazon gift vouchers has been made today. Congratulations to Chelsea, Michael, Kirsten, Ryan and Greg, who have been contacted by email to confirm their email addresses and to ensure safe receipt of their prize which will be sent shortly!

An interesting start to the week as I received an email asking for the text of a very (and I mean very) short play I wrote some time ago for Gi60 which was staged a few times in the UK and US. This time it's heading over to a theatre in New York for it's mini-revival. Full text below! Looking over it I'd describe it as more of a sketch than a play, so I hope it raises a smile. Househunting for Ghosts   A ghost (white sheet) sits at a table, opposite a vampire (cloak and fangs). Ghost :             I’ve been in a graveyard the last three years and the nightly wailing’s bringing me down. Vampire :        There’s been an upsurge in consecrations in the area that you’re looking at but I think I’ve found the right property for you. Four bedrooms. Unblessed. Family of heathens. Three children. Full cable package. Ghost :             ESPN and MTV Europe? Vampire :        Oh yes, and the eldest can apparently see auras so you can play around with her a bit w