My life has largely been spent in teaching and researching economics in various institutions, including Southampton University, the Open University and The University of Portsmouth, all in the public sector, and at St Swithun’s School, Winchester in the private sector. I have also taught short courses in other countries including a summer school in the USA, but also in many countries in Europe. These have included, inter alia, Austria, Bulgaria, Finland and Germany. All these activities have proved immensely enjoyable and rewarding.
I have written a series of textbooks but also many articles. Most of these have been on aspects of business behaviour. Only relatively recently have I ventured into fiction and written my first novel which you can read about elsewhere on this site. (My more unkind colleagues claim that some of the academic publications should be filed under ‘fiction’ as well). I think the novel was only made possible by what I have learned and experienced from supportive colleagues and from teaching in so many different places.
I have also written three complete online courses in Economics for the Open University of Bavaria, and also produced many academic films and cartoons to help students to understand the world in which we live. Information about all these activities can be found on this website.
It has been my very great good fortune to have been part of a loving family. My parents, although poor, provided a safe and caring environment in which my brother and I grew up. In my twenties I married and had three children, who now have families of their own: James, who works as a software engineer, Simon, who runs a thriving youth work in Kent, and Catherine, who among other things has published a series of children’s books. Between the three of our children they have given us nine delightful grandchildren.
Laughter and Music
One way to relax is to listen to music and to find things to laugh at. I will mention just a few. Among my all-time favourites is The Kings singers whose music is of the highest possible quality. In my first novel I quote from their singing of Billy Joel’s classic, ‘And so it goes’ but this group has such a wide repertoire. They perform live all around the world and just occasionally I manage to get to one of their concerts. Highly recommended when they are in your part of the world.
I loved listening to the great Victor Borge, the Danish and American actor, comedian, and pianist who was so popular in both North America and Europe. Sadly he died some years ago but his recordings are still widely available.
A very different genre of humour is provided by Max Boyce, the Welsh entertainer, whose songs and stories have delighted millions, including me. His origins are in a South Wales mining community from where he rose to fame with acts combining musical comedy with a passion for rugby union.
Of course, there are others who can inspire and make people laugh. Humour strengthens your health and wellbeing. Research has also shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety and pain. It can even improve mood, mental alertness and memory. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to find the time for these things but it’s good to make the effort to do so.
Life in a local church community
I am also involved in a Christian church. There are so many stories around about the poor behaviour of some church leaders but it should be remembered that there are huge numbers of honest, God-fearing people who undertake acts of charity and kindness and form the backbone of lots of communities.
Teaching and lecturing involves meeting many people from all backgrounds of different faiths and none. Education is a great force for teaching us to accept and learn from one another even though we may disagree on many things.
Keeping Fit
Like many others I have struggled with health issues as I have gotten older. However, I have spoken to medics who have explained that just twenty to thirty minutes a day of walking can have great health benefits – and I have found that it can be enjoyable too. But what of healthy eating?
Unfortunately, it is the case that the healthiest foods are not always the ones that give greatest pleasure. One instance of this for me is green tea. For my physical wellbeing I try to drink a cup of it every day. I think it tastes dreadful. I am assured, however, that it is worthwhile. Apparently, it contains lots of free radicals and as an economist I can appreciate that with green tea these radicals are free! (Sorry).
Surviving Covid
Keeping fit was, of course, made more difficult with the arrival of Covid. It had a huge impact on schools and colleges when online teaching became the norm for a while. It’s still around even though the worst seems to be over. It proved such a tragedy for some families although we have been fortunate to avoid it.
We even managed to find some humour in the midst of it. Here’s a song about it written and performed by my son, James, when Covid first shut down offices and schools. With his apologies to Don MacLean.
Reading for Pleasure
Inevitably if you are in research or teaching and lecturing you will be reading. This is true of so many other occupations also, even being a student, although I have met a few of them who behave as if they can manage without. So, for many of us, reading goes with the job. However, I think it is important to read for pleasure as well as for necessity. Many of us enjoy a good novel. Sometimes novels may be more true to life than non-fiction!
Inevitably if you are in research or teaching and lecturing you will be reading. This is true of so many other occupations also, even being a student, although I have met a few of them who behave as if they can manage without. So, for many of us, reading goes with the job. However, I think it is important to read for pleasure as well as for necessity. Many of us enjoy a good novel. Sometimes novels may be more true to life than non-fiction!
Whatever kind of book one opens, I believe that people who read gain greatly. Just a few of the benefits are that it increases knowledge, expands vocabulary, enhances imagination and creativity and improves memory.
As Vincent Van Gogh once said: “Bookstores always remind me that there are good things in this world. ”
Favourite Quotations
I have learned a great deal from others, often from what they do but sometimes from reading what they say. At times I have been struck by their wisdom, at others, although, less often, by their foolishness. Here is a selection of my favourite quotes. Many but not all of them, I have found useful in my teaching.
There is no literate population in the world that is poor and there is no illiterate population that is anything but poor. J.K. Galbraith
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein
If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. Sir Isaac Newton
Getting mythology wrong is my Hercules ankle. Olaf Falafel
If he says ten, he means eight so he wants six, so it’s worth four, so you bid two. Tobacco auctioneer explaining how market prices are formed.
Economic theory is when we know everything, but nothing works. Economics in practice is when everything works but no one knows why. In Applied Economics theory and practice are combined: Nothing works and no one knows why. Anon
The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples’ money. Margaret Thatcher
I inherited a painting and a violin, which turned out to be a Rembrandt and a Stradivarius. Unfortunately, Rembrandt made lousy violins and Stradivarius was a terrible painter. Tommy Cooper
The key to effective teaching is to remember how you learned. Clive James
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Aaronic Blessing
To be wealthy and honoured in an unjust society is a disgrace. Confucius
