Batman: Assault on Arkham Review

The new animated DC comics release Batman: Assault on Arkham is latest release which is set in the Videogame universe of Arkham Asylum after the game Arkham Origins. However the film focuses not on Batman himself but on the "Suicide Squad". A small governmental task force of supervillains including: Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, whose skills are utilised to the dirty work of the government. After  recent disappointments of Son of Batman and Justice Leage: War, this is a triumphan return to form. Some spoilers to follow.

Presenting the PhD: 8 Tips for Making a Great First Talk

I have recently been lucky enough to give an academic presentation. It was a scary thing beforehand but  when I was giving it and afterwards everything was fine. I was pleased to hear that the talk had been received well and that the members in the audience enjoyed it. Perhaps more importantly they got the message of my talk. I was fortunate enough to have a support group around me who enabled me to give the best presentation that I could have at the time (Thank you to all who helped!). Here are some of the things that they helped me do in order to help me give a good presentation.

Son of Batman Review

The new Dynamic Duo

Son of Batman is the latest in DC Comics animation following on from the last two releases about the Justice League (War and Flashpoint Paradox). It is released as a part of the celebrations for 75 Years of Batman, and is the first release preceding Assault on Arkham later this year. It is a mixed release with some good animation but an ultimately hollow experience for fans of the original story by Grant Morrison and of Batman and Damian. Some story spoilers to follow.

The Travelling PhD

Part of my PhD involves me travelling around a lot for various different reasons, whether this is to go for a conference or for a talk. The majority of my travelling however is to go and visit participants. Recently my car (named Emmett) reached a total 100, 000 miles. Not all of this is mine but I have made a smaller but significant contribution. Having only recently passed my driving test it has not only been an education in terms of driving but also in using and knowledge of having a car. It did make me realize that there are many parallels with driving that also are applicable to the completing a PhD.

Always Moving

Since I have been able to drive too and from testing sessions I get a lot of time to think (always a dangerous situation). It gives me far too much time where I can over think situations but also remind myself of conversations. Driving back from testing yesterday I was reminded of my a conversation with a friend about studying for a PhD and working in research.

Calm Before the Storm

During my first year there was a whirlwind of activity, I was new to Newcastle, I was setting up experiments, looking after project students, testing participants. It was daunting and felt like I had gone off at break neck speed, at times being unable to fully process it all. There was a near constant pressure to get things done. Pressure to prove myself to my supervisors. Pressure of moving and settling into a new city. Fortunately I was able to weather that particular storm of pressures. My second year has taken altogether much different pace. It much more nuanced, building there is pressure there but it is a different kind of pressure.