Despite the challenges of Storm Éowyn, Laura Gravener defended her PhD thesis successfully today. Congratulations Laura! Euan and I wish you the very best for life after St Andrews. Thanks to Gordon Florence and Sarah Pike for serving as examiners.

Almost time for me to reprise my role as question master for this RSC Top of the Bench event this evening.

Best of luck to all four schools competing in tonight’s Regional Final.

Deeply saddened to hear yesterday about Sir Fraser Stoddart passing away. For me, from Sheffield to the streets of Chicago, across 35 years, it was always an adventure (though mostly with much less snow). Fraser was a force of nature and leaves an enormous legacy. He will be sorely missed.

No chemistry for my first post here, just calm, River Tay vibes from my walk last Sunday. “Tay Haze” by Lee Simmons (2024)