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August 07, 2024

Closing Time (Sort of)

Change is afoot for the Exchanges campus office

Closing time, one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer. Closing time, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. (Semisonic, Closing Time, 1998)

Yes, it has come to this – the Exchanges office is closing down. But before you all start wailing and gnashing your teeth, not to mention organising a quick whip around to buy me a leaving gift [1] I should point out…this is not actually the end.

What is happening though is over here in the IAS where Exchanges is currently based our wonderful department has rather become a victim of our own success. Over the next few months, we’ve got lots of exciting new research fellows coming to join us, and unsurprisingly campus office space is (as always) at a premium. Now, I’ve very much enjoyed my current office, which I moved into during September 2019 [2] – having a space on the main campus to call my own did lend a spot of prestige to the journal. It was easier to arrange to meet people in person too, as I didn’t have to worry about checking if my office mate was in or out – nor did people have to walk a looooong way to find me.

Naturally, not that long after the IAS had moved here to Zeeman the pandemic lockdowns began. As a consequence, I didn’t really see the inside of my office regularly again for a good 18 months. [3] Despite that for the past couple of years I’ve made regular pilgrimages to my office and hosted many people for publishing and educational discussions, so I’ll confess I will miss this place. But…this isn’t the end, merely a point of inflection.

Which is why, today, I’m surrounded by boxes, bits and pieces which are moving along with me (and Exchanges) just down the corridor. This is where I’ll now be office mates with my line manager and the IAS’ associate director – the estimable Dr Fiona Fisher. Personally, I couldn’t wish for a nicer and more supportive fellow office dweller, and I’m looking forward to a range of informative, interesting and possibly amusing conversations in the coming months.

Hence, after today – if you come looking to meet with me on campus – don’t visit my old room of Zeeman of C 0.10 – but instead come along and knock on C 0.05. You’ll be assured of a warm welcome – even if I’m not there – as Fiona always likes to say hello too!

And to close as I began, with Semisonic, and the reason I picked this song for this article.

Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end, yeah…

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Endnotes

[1] A new car would be nice, just saying.

[2] Before this I was sharing an office with a researcher over in Milburn House, on the Science Park.

[3] Being part time at Warwick, and with the pandemic it still feels like I’ve only just arrived here – despite it being the best part of 5 years ago since we transitioned here.