#Postgraduate Student Presentations

[townpostin]

Karim City College Hosts Two-Day English Literature Seminar

50 Postgraduate Students Present Research Papers On Diverse Topics Event aims to cultivate scholarly thinking and research skills among English literature students. JAMSHEDPUR – The Postgraduate English Department at Karim City College organized a two-day seminar from July 1 to 2, featuring research presentations by 50 students from Semester-4. "This seminar shapes students’ literary thinking and…

[education100]

Mewar University Distance Education Admission

Mewar University provides flexible and quality distance education Admission programs for students with the desire to continue higher education from home. In undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses offered by the university, possibilities are presented to advance their careers. Admission is open to any student interested in flexible learning options and skill enhancement in various fields that can reach accessible education.

[fickleminder]

seven supervillains and one (1) normie

You move in with seven normal, law-abiding housemates.

Here’s my piece for @obeymezine! Leftover sales are live till Dec 15th, so do consider supporting us since all proceeds will be going to charity :)

Lucifer looks even more handsome in person.

You find yourself paying more attention to him and the deep timbre of his voice than the tour of Serenity Manor and its rules. Only a firm call of your name snaps you back to the present.

“This will be your room,” he says, opening one last door for you to step through. It’s decently furnished with all the basic necessities and has an en suite to boot. How generous. “Is this to your satisfaction?”

“Oh absolutely, everything looks great!” You wheel your luggage into a corner and set your backpack down on the large study table. “I still can’t believe I got matched with you guys for the boarding program. Thank you so much for having me!”

“The pleasure is ours.” Lucifer gives you a polite nod. “Make yourself at home, and I will introduce you to my brothers tomorrow. We hope you’ll enjoy your stay here with us.”

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“Surveillance systems are online,” Levi reports as all eyes watch you unpack on the screen. “Ugh, bugging rooms is so old school. It’s only the first day, I doubt there’ll be any suspicious activity.”

“And it better stay that way.” Satan’s already profiling you from your posters on the walls, your stuffed sheep on the bed, your clothes in the closet. No red flags yet, as far as he can discern.

“Pfft, what can one exchange student do to us?” Mammon scoffs. Your background check was clean, your documents checked out. In every practical sense, you were an ordinary postgraduate taking courses at the local university for a year. “Loosen up guys!”

Lucifer shoots him a glare indicating he has no intention of doing so. “No funny business. It’s unfortunate that we have to go undercover in our own home, but Elysium’s agents are on to us. We need to mask our activities and blend in, and we have no choice but to wait for them to leave. Until then, continue to follow Prince’s orders, but keep things low-key. Do I make myself clear?”

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“—massive destruction of property at Settler’s factory premises. Witnesses say it was Gluttony in another one of his rampages, and this marks the fourth attack in…”

You glance towards a face-palming Lucifer at the breakfast table. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, perfectly fine.” He smiles through gritted teeth and switches off the TV, silencing the news.

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You have a few days before classes officially start, so you decide to take some time familiarizing yourself with the town. Lucifer has graciously agreed to escort you, along with one of his brothers.

“And that’s about it, really. Is there anywhere else you wanna go?” Belphie asks after they’ve given you a cursory tour. You mention wanting to return to the confectionery shop you passed by a while back, and he smirks. “Sure, but if you’re looking for Settler products, they might not have much stock.”

“That’s alright! They used to be one of my favorite brands you know, but then I found out they engaged in a lot of questionable business practices. It’s a shame really, I liked their stuff.”

Lucifer feels his work phone vibrating in his pocket all of a sudden and curses mentally. What could Barbatos possibly want at this moment? “Apologies, I… have to use the washroom,” he excuses himself in a hurry, discreetly signaling Belphie to cover for him before running off.

Almost half an hour passes with no Lucifer in sight.

“He’s been gone for a while. Should we go and check up on him?” You ask worriedly.

“Nah, it’s fine.” Belphie sniggers. “He usually takes really long shits anyway. Let’s just go. He’ll catch up eventually.”

Lucifer meets you back in the manor at the end of the day, and you miss the dirty look he sends Belphie behind your back after you recommend some home remedies for treating diarrhea.

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“Satan, I need some advice!” The blond follows your voice to the kitchen and freezes when he sees you holding his collection of hunting knives. For gutting people, not cutting meat. “I’m making lunch. Which of these are for fruits and vegetables?”

This is why Lucifer always nags us about picking up our toys, Satan realizes belatedly. Fuck, he probably left them out on the couch or something. At least he’d remembered to clean off the blood first. “Those aren’t for cooking. They’re for, uh, self-defense.” Idiot, is that the best you could come up with? There’s no way it’ll—

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have assumed.” You gasp and quickly return the knives to him. “One of my old roommates used to sleep with a dagger under their pillow, though I personally prefer to keep a baseball bat next to my bed. Besides, didn’t some rich politician get murdered in his own house just recently? The manor seems secure and you guys have Cerberus, but better safe than sorry I guess.”

Satan is still reeling from your sheer obliviousness, but he knows better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. “I completely agree,” he says with a poker face.

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Mammon’s Lexura is a sight to behold, but you’re more interested in how fast she can go.

“Oi, I know you’re worried about your friend but keep your oily fingers to yourself, you hear?” He grumbles, opening the garage door for you and Beel to enter. “Which mall was it again?”

“The one with Bullseye,” you reply distractedly, furiously tapping away on your phone. “I can’t believe she and her girlfriend got harassed in public. You only read stories about this happening to other people online. What kind of fucked up organization calls themselves a charity and— Shit!”

You trip on something and drop your phone. It bounces and skids under Mammon’s car, but Beel instinctively steps forward before you can even react. With one arm, he tilts the vehicle just enough for you to duck under and retrieve it.

“Wow, thanks so much Beel!” You dust your phone off and check for cracks on the screen while Mammon sweats buckets behind you. “You gotta share your workout routine with me sometime. Hey, do you mind coming along and being our muscle for the day?”

“Okay.” Beel agrees easily, and you pump your fists.

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“—worth millions. The curator declined to comment…”

“This is crazy, I was there just last week!” You exclaim while chewing on your dinner. “The museum had lots of cool stuff on display. Mostly illegally imported, if you catch my drift, but not anymore huh?”

Asmo winks at you. “What a shame. You could have seen Lust in action first-hand.”

“Aren’t heists supposed to be discreet? He is pretty good-looking though, I’ll give him that.”

“Is he prettier than me?” The entire table goes deathly silent as you squint between Asmo’s fluttering eyelashes and the masked supervillain on the TV screen. “Don’t you think he’d look better with a boob window?”

“…Nah, he doesn’t have the tiddies to pull it off.” Your gaze unconsciously flickers to Beel’s chest. “Plus the butts don’t match. Yours is flatter.”

Asmo’s jaw drops in mock outrage. “Honey, have you been checking me out? How very scandalous of you~”

“Enough, please.” Lucifer sighs amidst your spluttering.

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“That’s it. We’re screwed, our cover is blown. I knew this was a bad idea…”

“Let’s just resort to good ol’ fashioned murder and then frame it as a runaway case. No one will ever know!”

“This manor is a fortress located in the safest part of town. What the fuck do you think people will presume there is to run from?”

“There were a couple of close calls, but I think we’re still in the clear.” Beel recalls you quoting your statistics professor after an extended period of time where one of them would come home late the night before a major news event: correlation does not imply causation.

“Need I remind all of you, it was our proposal to join the boarding program as a front. Prince approved it himself, and I won’t allow us to back out now.”

“Shut up, Lucifer. Don’t you have any politicians to assassinate?” Belphie sneers.

“We will see this through.” Lucifer refuses to budge, ever the prideful bastard. “We’re still safe, but keep your guards up. Understood?”

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The kitchen is pitch black this time of night, but Levi’s had years to figure out a way around without alerting anyone he’s back.

“I hate on-site jobs,” he grumbles to himself. “What kind of company doesn’t have remote access to their servers nowadays? Let’s see how they like it when people steal and sell their private data instead, muahahaha— Eek!”

“Hmm? Levi?” You stifle a yawn and shuffle towards the rack of cups. “Why’re you up at this hour?”

Levi is still blinking away the spots in his vision from the sudden onslaught of light when you flipped the switch. He pales as you stare at his costume and equipment on the counter. “Wait, it’s not what it looks like—”

“Late con, huh? Must have been fun. You were still in character there. Heheh.” You pour yourself a glass of water. “Nice cosplay by the way. G’night.”

“G-goodnight!” Levi waits to hear the sound of your door closing before wheezing hysterically in relief.

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You sigh blissfully under the weight of four cats lounging on various parts of your body. “I’ll admit I had my doubts at first, but this is exactly what I needed. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” Satan takes a long sip of his tea while petting the snoozing tabby on his lap. He looks like one of those criminal masterminds in the movies. “Visiting cat shelters is the best way to unwind after a long week. And don’t worry, I have it on good authority that this one actually takes proper care of our furry friends.”

“That’s reassuring to hear! I’ll never understand why anyone would want to hurt these precious babies.” A little calico wanders near your face and boops your nose with its toe beans. “If only all shelters could be as noble as this one. Remind me to stop by the donation box before we leave!”

“Gladly. Speaking of donations, remember that charity group that messed with your friends? I heard someone stole every last penny from their funds and now they’re on the verge of insolvency. Truly, this is karma at work.”

“Schadenfreude!” You cheer before the two of you clink cups and drink.

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“Hey, you’ve been in there for a while now. Do you need— Oh.”

“Belphie!” You grin at him sheepishly and fidget with your rubber gloves. “I’m sorry, I’m really bad at this. My old dorm had a janitor, so I’ve never been assigned toilet duty before…”

“No wonder. You’d be dead in minutes if you kept this up,” Belphie snaps, quickly moving the unopened bottle of bleach away from you. “Mixing cleaning products is a sure-fire way to poison yourself.”

You wince at his harsh tone, and Belphie’s expression softens in sympathy.

“Here, I’ll teach you.” And then he proceeds to detail exactly what chemicals are in each product, which combinations produce different kinds of fumes with varying levels of toxicity, how to make odorless gasses that can kill a man in seconds—

“Why’d you stop?” You protest when Belphie abruptly cuts himself off. He’s probably feeling embarrassed about oversharing. “This is super informational. I’d be dead without you!”

“…Right.” He blinks, nonplussed. “You’re welcome, or whatever. Just stay away from the bleach, okay?”

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Mammon shuffles the deck with deft hands and explains the rules. “You play as an Elysium agent of your choice, and your goal is to defeat the mob boss terrorizing the city: Jesús Iglesias Ken. The game can be competitive or cooperative depending on which rules we follow, but I say we do competitive mode and bet on the winner!”

“Ugh, shaddup Mammon!” Levi groans while you set up the board and pieces.

“Now, for the characters! We have Kid, a tiny chihuahua of an agent who has lots of good buffs from the sweets he eats. Director, who can move other players during his turn; but don’t get fooled by his smile. He can be super scary sometimes! Spear, man that guy packs a punch. He’s a damage dealer with shitty taste buds.”

Too busy paying attention to Mammon, you don’t see the way Levi makes throat-slitting gestures and mouths SHUT UP SHUT UP STUPIDMAMMON—

“There are also NPCs like Sorcerer, who can help or hinder you depending on your actions, shady bastard. And Aristocrat, who’s on the villain’s side and a total bootlicker, but he gives valuable intel for the right price.”

“How do you know all of this? I don’t see it in the rule book.” You scan the character description section intently. “Don’t tell me… You’re secretly a fan!”

Mammon chokes, finally catching on to Levi’s signals. Both of them exchange wide-eyed looks before forcibly grinning at you. “Yeah, totally, I’m a fan! Hahaha…”

“What a nerd, right?” Levi laughs nervously. “Anyway, this game is more fun with more players, so let’s just play something else for now, okay? Okay.”

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“I’ve got reports that Elysium’s agents are finally moving out. We should be cleared to resume normal operations soon.”

“Our plan worked like a charm! Ooh, we’re so close~”

“Good job, everyone.” Lucifer nods with a satisfied smile. “This will all be over shortly. And just in time too. A year’s almost up.”

Everyone falls silent as their thoughts drift to you. It’ll be quiet without you around; you may not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but you were always kind and genuine with all of them. It goes without saying that they’ll definitely miss you once you’re gone.

“We should stay in touch,” Mammon proposes suddenly, looking none of his brothers in the eye. “Y’know, to keep tabs and make sure we weren’t compromised or anything. See things through to the end and all that.”

For once, nobody objects to Mammon’s idea. “Indeed,” Lucifer murmurs in approval.

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“I’ll be on campus studying for my ethics finals. See you all at dinner!”

You set up camp at your favorite corner: a little nook in the section of the library that’s perpetually empty. Just as you make yourself comfortable and open your laptop, someone pings you with an encrypted message.

Grinning to yourself, you easily bypass Levi’s embedded spyware and open up a private channel to take the call. “Barb, it’s so good to hear from you!”

“Good afternoon.” A polished voice greets you from the speakers, and you quickly plug in your headphones to prevent eavesdropping. “Apologies for the disturbance, but I have the data you requested.”

“Thanks Barbatos. You really are the best AI I’ve ever created!”

“I am the only AI you’ve ever created, but the sentiment is acknowledged. Did your side project go well?”

“Always so humble, haha! And yes, it went wonderfully! It’s so good to finally meet the brothers face-to-face. They’re such a lively bunch!”

“I concur. Back to business: the up-and-coming cosmetics company you asked me to look into? It turns out your hunch was right; I’ve found evidence that they rely heavily on animal testing for their products.”

“A job for Belphie then. He’ll know how to put those chemicals to better use.”

“Of course. On a separate note, another political party has been pushing for…”

[my-deer-friend]

Hii I have a bit of personal question, if that is alright. I am very interested in the American Revolution but I do not live in America. I would like to become a historian or researcher of that time period one day. As a student do you think it is difficult to be a historian of the American Revolution when you are not American? I get a lot of books and information online, but I do not think it is the same as being in a place? Do you think your school program a good stepping stone to get into an American graduate school? Is that something you want to do one day?

Sorry for all the inquiries, you are just the only person on here who is in a similar situation as myself! Best wishes to you!

Hi Anon! This is a really good question, and I'll do my best to answer it as both a history student and a university professional.

(First, I'll note that my interest personally is not primarily in the American revolution, but rather in the 18th century more broadly. That includes lots of angles that I can pursue in Europe, not least looking at relations in the Atlantic world, the "republic of letters" and the enlightenment, and thematically I'm interested in queer history, which can be studied everywhere. I also have no desire to live in the US. But, yes, let's assume AmRev is the focus.)

There are different considerations for undergrad vs postgrad.

Undergraduate

At undergraduate level, it doesn't matter too much where you study. At this point in your journey, broadly speaking, the focus is on developing your academic skills, learning established content about your topic, and exploring a range of scholarly interests (not just the topic itself, but how to research that topic – i.e. methodologies). As long as your university has a department for American history, or even better a major, you're fine.

While you're busy with your degree, you can supplement your learning about the period in a lot of ways, including:

Using your own library to access books, journal articles and databases (and getting materials through inter-library loans if need be)

Using the vast and ever-growing online resources on American history provided by institutions like the Library of Congress, American universities and libraries (e.g. NYPL)

Where something isn't already available online, contacting the archive that has it and seeing if you can get a copy (I wrote a post about that)

Talk to your history prof about your interest, and they will probably be able to suggest some avenues to pursue. One very useful tool is to look up the AmRev curriculum or syllabus from other univerisities and see what readings and topics they cover (just google: "american revolution" syllabus). Here's one that came up.

And then – and I'll put this point in bold because it's the most important thing I'll say here:

👉✨Attend conferences✨👈

Conferences are where you make invaluable connections with like-minded scholars, hear about new research, find out about opportunities (scholarships, programs, funding, etc.), discover what a career in academia actually looks like, get advice from people already doing the job you want to do, and so on. There are even conferences specifically for undergrad students, or there might be a track at a generalist conference that allows emerging researchers to present on a topic. Lots of these take place online (hence, cheaper), or you might be able to apply for funding from your university to attend (or idk you have a fabulously wealthy great-aunt).

Postgraduate

While undergrad is more about learning, postgrad is more about finding out. The higher up the ladder you go, the narrower your focus becomes, and you start to need more specialised guidance. To get the most out of your learning, you need to go where the experts are, and naturally, many of the most cutting-edge scholars on American history are, well, in America. You'll want to be surrounded by a community of like-minded scholars. And yeah, "being there" can be important not just for better access to primary materials, but also for insights that come from physical, social and cultural proximity.

That said, I don't think it's impossible (or inadvisable) to study the American revolution outside of America; it's just trickier. Doing that successfully comes down to 1) finding the right advisor and 2) choosing the right topic.

By this point, you should know who the leading scholars are in your particular niche of interest. Nobody really studies "the American revolution" writ large; rather, they (and you) will focus on the political or racial or sociocultural or regional or culinary or-- whatever aspect of it. It might just happen that the people in your field are located near you.

You can also approach the topic from a different angle – start from a local point of interest that you can to relate to the AmRev. (Maybe you're Italian, and you know about Italian History Blorbo who went to fight in the war, and there's a story to tell there. Maybe you're Dutch and you have things to say about the intricacies of the financial and political support the Netherlands gave to America. And so on.) This might, in fact, lead to novel insights and perspectives that haven't been explored yet.

Good luck to you!

If anyone wants to share their own experiences, please feel free!

[victusinveritas]

Hi Folks, those of you (probably few and far between) academically inclined and with departmental backing to send you to Iceland might be interested in this...

The Háskóli Íslands Student Conference on the Medieval North

  "CALL FOR PAPERS

We are accepting abstract submissions for the fourteenth annual Háskóli Íslands Student Conference on the Medieval North.

The Háskóli Íslands Student Conference on the Medieval North is an interdisciplinary forum for postgraduate students (masters and doctoral level) and early career researchers working in the broad field of medieval northern studies, held every April in Reykjavík, Iceland. Students who have not given papers at an academic conference before are especially encouraged to submit. The conference will be held April 10th-12th, 2025, online and in-person at Háskóli Íslands.

This conference seeks proposals on the theme of “Other Things.”

The Other has been a perennial subject in the study of the medieval north. We ask: what constitutes an Other? What Others have been ignored? How is Otherization expressed across the field’s subdisciplines? We playfully consider the double meaning of “things,” seeking consideration of objects forgotten or buried beneath academic attentions. What critical lenses have been neglected? What Other Things are there left to discover?

We accept abstract submissions on a wide range of topics connected to this theme, including but not limited to art history, archaeology, digital humanities, folklore, gender and queer studies, literary studies, manuscripts and paleography, philology, reception of the medieval period, and religious studies.

We ask that submissions address the theme.

Presenters will have the opportunity to submit their papers for a conference proceedings volume, to be published as an e-book in the autumn of 2025.

Interested student scholars should email an abstract of 250-300 words, along with a brief biography containing name, pronouns, institution, and program of study, to histudentconference@gmail.com by DECEMBER 2nd, 2024. Please indicate whether you intend to attend the conference online or in person. The Committee reserves the right to make selections based on quality of written abstracts, adherence to submission guidelines, and timely submission.

Detailed submission guidelines are here:

The languages of the conference are Icelandic and English. Individual paper presentations will be 20 minutes in length, followed by 10 minutes for discussion. There is also a Poster Session for students to present their material in poster form. Students may apply for either a paper or a poster. The conference committee may offer a poster presentation to some paper applicants. Please direct any further inquiries to the Conference Committee by email.

Áfram!"

[phdguides]

What is the research process of a PhD?

A doctor of philosophy, also known as a PhD, is a higher level of education that is recognised worldwide. A PhD candidate may use the title ‘Doctor’ before his or her name after the successful completion of the course

After deciding on a research topic, a person with a postgraduate degree can apply for a PhD in his or her desired field. Because a PhD is entirely a research degree, you must choose a research topic before applying for a PhD programme.

Regardless of your qualification, you can choose any topic for your PhD thesis. The only requirement is that the research topic chosen corresponds to your experience.

A full-time PhD takes three years to complete, whereas a part-time PhD takes four to five years. The period can be extended for a few years based on your research and thesis completion.

Let’s take a quick look at the three-year PhD study modules:

PhD first year

The first year of a PhD is usually spent developing a basic understanding of the research topic you have chosen. You will be assigned a supervisor, with whom you will communicate throughout your research.

The supervisor assists you in thoroughly understanding the topic. You should introduce yourself to him or her and discuss your research to get more information and make a plan of action.

In the first year, you will typically be required to conduct a literature review, survey, and evaluate existing scholarship under the supervision of your supervisor.

The literature review allows you to gain a thorough understanding of the research topic and make logical leaps. If you applied for Mphill, you will be upgraded by the end of the first year.

In the upgrade exam, you must submit your literature review, and research findings, and have a discussion on all of the material with a member of your department. If everything goes well and you can persuade everyone, you will be able to continue your research for next year.

PhD second year

The second year is critical because you have developed a basic understanding of your research and must now go more in-depth and begin core research.

You must conduct surveys, experiments, and archival research on your subject and concentrate on obtaining results. You should also begin working on your thesis in your second year.

Based on your findings, you can begin drafting chapters that will serve as the foundation for your dissertation. As the time of PhD passes, you gain more knowledge and develop as a scholar.

Meanwhile, you keep in touch with the supervisor to discuss the research. He or she will periodically check in on your progress and provide feedback and ideas to conduct research in the right direction.

Besides this, your second year of doctoral studies is an excellent time to gain real-world experience by presenting your work at various academic conferences, gaining teaching experience, or publishing your work in an academic journal.

PhD third year

This is the final year of your PhD programme, and it is also the most stressful because you must begin writing up your thesis into a dissertation.

To be a PhD scholar, you must collect all of your research from your PhD and organise it into a well-structured thesis.

It may be a difficult process because many students are still working on their research and locating sources that can strongly support their findings. Some students even take additional years to finish their dissertation.

Your supervisor plays a crucial role in this situation. They will read your thesis, make valuable suggestions, and notify you when it is ready for submission.

After submitting your thesis, you must give a viva voce, which is an oral exam. In this exam, you must convince the panel of your research results. This is the final stage of the PhD programme. If you pass this, you are done with your PhD.

Conclusion

This is what a PhD programme looks like. During the years of your PhD, you must conduct extensive research. To finish your thesis on time, you must plan ahead of time and work accordingly. Because research is the foundation of a PhD, you should choose your topic carefully. Before deciding on a topic, consult with experts and professors from nearby universities and choose as per the discussion.

[legolasbadass]

Office Hours, Part 31

Summary: Lorelei Browning has just secured a job as an assistant professor at Exeter College in Oxford. Naturally, she is eager to prove herself and meet every challenge sent her way, but what she does not expect is the tall, handsome stranger who will quickly become much more than a colleague.

Relationship: Richard Armitage x OC (Professor AU)

Word Count: 4.1k

Rating: E

A/N: Hi everyone! It feels like I blinked and suddenly I haven't updated this story in over 7 months, ooops 🙈 I moved abroad and went back to school in September to start a postgraduate degree, so I've had very little time to write over the past few months. I hope you can all forgive me and are still interested in Lorelei and Richard's story! If you are, I've tried to make this chapter extra special... 😈

Before I know it, the spring break is over, and I am drowning in emails, deadlines, and assignments to correct. Thankfully, however, the telltale signs of summer bloom across Oxford as the term unfolds. The air, once crisp, now carries a gentle warmth, accompanied by the hum of bees and the fragrance of blooming flowers along the banks of the River Cherwell, which beckons scholars and locals alike to punting excursions. Days lengthen, inviting late-night strolls through narrow cobblestone streets while the evening sky blends into hues of soft pastels. The fast-approaching exams threaten the leisurely atmosphere of the city,  but when I walk through the sunlit streets with Richard’s hand holding onto mine, I feel as though time stands still; there are no exams, no piles of unmarked essays on my desk, and Richard is here, and he is not leaving. Not now. Not ever. 

I try to be happy and excited for him—I am—but with each passing day, it becomes harder and harder to imagine being thousands of miles away from each other. But we have many things to look forward to; in a few days, we will officially be on summer holiday, and I will move in with Richard. That is what I need to focus on. His imminent departure looms over us, but it does not change the fact that we love each other and are determined to make this work. A year ago, I was offered a lecturer post at Exeter College. It was more than I had ever dreamed of, and I thought life could not get any better. Little did I know I would meet Richard and fall in love with him. The past few months have been a whirlwind, and it still surprises me how fast things have progressed between Richard and me—how quickly he has come to mean the world to me. The thought of losing him terrifies me, but we have been through so much already, so I have to believe that we can get through this next year. 

“Lorelei?” A knock and a familiar rumbling voice pull me back to the present moment.  

Richard stands in the doorway to my office, one hand resting against the aged wooden frame as he smiles at me. The unbuttoned collar of his white shirt draws my attention to his throat and the patch of hair peeking through. Just like the first time we met. 

“Hey,” I say with a smile. 

“Lost track of time?” 

“What?” 

“It’s half past four.” 

“Oh,” I breathe out as I glance at the time on my phone. “Sorry—I completely lost track of time, yeah. Hope you haven’t been waiting for me too long.” 

Richard shakes his head as I throw my laptop and notebooks into my bag, then rush to the door, but he blocks the way with his arm. “You alright?” 

“I’m fine,” I reply, smiling at the concern in his voice. “Just have a lot of things on my mind.” 

He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and the tender look in his eyes tells me he is thinking of kissing me, but the hallways are busy with students and professors, all rejoicing at the end of the term. 

“Good or bad things?” he asks, his hand lingering on my jaw for a moment longer than it should in this environment. 

“A little bit of both,” I reply, but when he merely continues to watch me, I sigh. “There’s still so much to do before the move. I haven’t packed any of my clothes or anything from the kitchen—”

“Sweetheart, I told you I’d help you pack. Don’t worry about that.” I nod and offer him a grateful smile. Then he frowns. “That’s not what’s bothering you.” 

Sometimes, I wish he did not know me so well. “It’s just the move combined with research deadlines and all the exams I’ll have to correct in a few days,” I say, not wanting to bring up the true cause of my discomfort. I do not want him to feel guilty—he should be excited about this research opportunity, and he deserves nothing less than my unwavering support. “Have you gotten any news on that flat you were interested in?” I ask a few moments later as I lock the door to my office before walking towards the main staircase, trying to appear unphased. 

“Not yet, but it’s still early in Boston so maybe I’ll get some news later.” 

“Right,” I say with a smile, but it hits me all over again that we will not only be separated by an ocean but by time as well, and the thought of needing to wait hours for a text or call from him when he wakes up each day claws are my heart. 

“So I told Michael about Harvard’s offer.”

“How did he take it?” I ask, knowing this was difficult for him as they have been friends and colleagues for many years. 

“He took it well. I mean—it’s not like he could do anything if he didn’t like the idea of me leaving for a year; I’m allowed to take time off from teaching for research. That being said, he told me he was happy for me and that it would be great for the department and the college to have one of their professors working with a famous scholar like Stanley Griffin.” 

“Just as great as it is for Harvard to have one of their professors working with you, I imagine,” I say, looking up at him. 

Richard chuckles skeptically. “Lorelei, he’s Stanley Griffin.” He speaks the scholar's name almost as if he were talking about Shakespeare himself. “His anthologies are used in most English departments.” 

“Well, only one of you is a professor at what is arguably the most prestigious university in the world.” 

“I guess,” he replies with a sheepish smile that warms my heart. 

The sun burns bright in the sky above the dreaming spires, casting long shadows on the cobblestone beneath our feet as we walk through the main quadrangle toward Broad Street. All around us, students rejoice in their newfound freedom, lounging at cafes, iced coffees in hand, discussing summer plans while cyclists whizz by, their wheels clicking against the cobbled paths.

“I can’t believe it’s so warm and sunny today and we have to spend the whole evening indoors for the staff party,” I groan as I step into Richard’s car, throwing my bag on the backseat. 

“We don’t have to go,” he says, closing his door and buckling his seatbelt. 

“Of course we have to go.”

“Lorelei, these things tend to be really dull. They call it a party but it’s just a room full of tired academics who’d rather be at home or locked in their offices, and they serve ridiculous canapés that leave you starving at the end of the evening. Although, admittedly, there’s always an open bar.”

“Alright, then let’s stop and get burgers on the way and stay close to the bar for the duration of the not-so-party party.” Richard chuckles as he steers out of the parking spot. “Come on, our presence is expected. And it might be the last time you get to see some of our colleagues before you leave.” 

He does not say anything for a while, then he reaches out to squeeze my thigh, and I know he, too, is thinking of the long months of loneliness ahead. 

In an attempt to change his mind, I intertwine our fingers and smirk as I say, in a light, sing-songy voice, “I bought a new dress for the occasion that I think you’ll really like. It’s navy, and sleeveless—I just hope it’s not too short…” 

Richard shakes his head but fails to hide his smile. “I see what you’re trying to do, sweetheart.” As we stop at a red light, Richard notices my expression and sighs. “Alright, let’s go to the stupid party—but we’re not staying too late.” 

***

It took longer than expected to get ready at my flat. Despite agreeing to attend the event, Richard prevented me from getting dressed with languid kisses and lingering caresses, but eventually, we managed to tear ourselves from each other and leave. 

The city is submerged in the sun’s golden farewell to the day when Richard and I arrive at an imposing, Jacobean-style mansion near The Queen’s College, and as we walk through the tall wooden doors and into the main hall, I cannot help but gasp and look up at the ceiling high above us, causing Richard to chuckle. 

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he says, squeezing my hand as he leads me toward the grand staircase. 

I nod. “I think I’d prefer to just walk around the building instead of going to the party,” I begin playfully, but Richard shakes his head.

“Oh, no, no, no,” he says, letting go of my hand to hold my back and push me forward. “You practically dragged me to this thing so you better not leave me for even a second.” 

I bite back a smile. “What if I need to go to the loo?” 

Richard chuckles. “Okay, you’re not leaving me except to go to the loo.” 

The hubbub of conversation and clinking glasses fills the air as we step into the grand room lit by the setting sun and the soft glow of chandeliers hanging from the frescoed ceiling. I spot familiar faces in the crowd while we make our way to the bar, but most people I do not know, so I am grateful for Richard’s reassuring presence, and I already dread having to attend events like these without him next year. 

“So here we are,” Richard says dispassionately after we order drinks. “Now do you believe me for saying these things are boring?”

I shake my head in amusement, then bite my lips, suddenly feeling shy. 

“What is it, sweetheart? You’re blushing,” he points out with a curious smile. 

Hesitantly, I lean in and speak in a soft voice only he can hear. “Would it be less boring if I told you I’m not wearing knickers?” 

Richard laughs, but then he catches my eyes and gulps heavily. “Are you—you’re really not—?” 

I shake my head, slowly gaining confidence as his eyes darken. He laughs again, the sound deeper and hoarser, telling me exactly how he feels about my styling choice. 

 “This is a work event!” he playfully chastises me, and I giggle as he brings a hand to my back.

“Well, I just wanted to make sure this party wasn’t too dull for your tastes.” 

He smirks. “I now suspect I’ll be feeling unwell or tired rather soon and you’ll have to bring me home earlier than planned.” 

“Oh, yes? And how will we spend the rest of the evening once we’re back home?” I ask, feigning innocence. 

“Well, for starters, you’ll take off that lovely dress and bend over—” 

Heat rises up my neck, and I nearly choke on my drink when, just at that moment, someone calls out to us, forcing us to pull apart suddenly. 

“Richard, Lorelei!” Professor Bennett greets us with a kind smile. “I was beginning to wonder if maybe you wouldn’t be joining us.” 

Richard glances at me, a cheeky grin illuminating his slightly red face, before turning back to Professor Bennett. “Last-minute outfit crisis,” he replies teasingly, squeezing my waist. 

I shake my head, trying to ignore the tingling in my belly caused by his last words to me. 

“And this is what you landed on?” Professor Bennett says playfully as he looks Richard up and down, causing me to laugh.

“Well, not everyone has your fashion sense, Michael,” Richard responds with a chuckle.

“Maybe we should start being evaluated on that; that way, I might stand a chance against you and win the teaching award for once.” 

Smiling, I look up at Richard and then back at Professor Bennett. “Richard was voted favourite Professor again?” 

“He sure was!” he says, raising his glass to Richard. 

“How amazing!” I exclaim, momentarily resting my hand on Richard’s chest. “Congrats, love!”

Richard’s grateful smile is made all the more endearing by the faint blush blooming on his cheeks. 

“But don’t tell anyone—I haven’t sent out the official announcement yet.”

Professor Bennett then turns to greet a passing colleague, so I lean into Richard. “I know one person who for sure voted for you,” I whisper with a teasing smile, thinking of Jane Taylor and the stars in her eyes when she speaks to him. 

“Shut up,” he responds, though he fails to hide his smirk as he pinches my waist, causing me to giggle. 

“Hey, there you are!” Natasha’s familiar voice interrupts us, and I turn to see her squeezing her way around a couple of Ph.D. students. We all greet her, but then she notices Richard and seems to hesitate for a second before she says, “Apparently, congratulations are in order!” Richard smiles shyly. “Working with Stanley Griffin—that’s exciting!” 

“Yeah, it is,” Richard replies with a nod, though he momentarily tightens his hold on me.

  “I must say, thank God for you, Lorelei,” Professor Bennett begins, causing me to frown in curiosity, “under different circumstances, I’d be worried about losing Richard to Harvard forever, but I know as long as you’re in Oxford, he’ll be coming back,” he says with a fond smile. 

I chuckle, then try to come up with a playful response, but I cannot ignore the heaviness in my heart. How can I miss him already when he is still here, holding me tight?

Thankfully, Richard steps in. “Don’t worry, Michael, you won’t even get a chance to miss me. I’ll be coming back periodically to check in on my postgrad students—that sort of thing…” 

“Yes, sure. For the students, of course,” Professor Bennett says teasingly, and from the corner of my eyes, I notice Richard staring at me longingly, and heat rises to my cheeks. 

As they continue to joke around, Natasha catches my eye and gestures for me to follow her. I reassure Richard I will be right back, then step aside, concerned by the frown on her face. 

Once we are far enough from the others, she reached out to caress my arm and asks, “How are you feeling?” 

I gulp, suddenly understanding her previous hesitation. “I’m fine.”

She nods slowly, biting on her lower lip. “So he’s leaving for a year…” 

I nod, struggling to gather the strength to respond in words. 

“That must be really tough for you.” 

“Yeah, it is, but… we’ll make it work.” 

“So you guys aren’t—aren’t breaking up or anything, are you?” 

“Oh, no!” 

She lets out a deep sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God! When I heard the news earlier today all I could think of was…” She trails off and laughs nervously. “You guys can make it work. I know you can.” 

I smile. “Yeah, I hope so.” Then my smile widens. “Actually, I’m moving in with him.” 

“Really?” she exclaims, her eyes lighting up in genuine happiness. 

“Yes! We want to make the most of the time we have together before he leaves, and this makes it a little easier to reassure ourselves that we’ll get through this together.” 

Natasha nods and squeezes my arm. “I’m so happy for you two!”

“Thanks,” I reply, grateful for her friendship. Then I notice Richard eyeing me from the bar, but before I can say anything, Natasha smiles in understanding. 

“Alright, go back to your man,” she teases. “I just really wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ll go see if I can find Sarah somewhere.” 

I give Natasha a quick hug before making my way back toward Richard, who is now conversing with two men I do not know. As soon as he notices me, he excuses himself from the conversation and, wrapping one arm around my waist, pulls me slightly to the side of the bar, away from prying ears.

“Everything okay?” he asks in concern.

“Yeah, Natasha just wanted to check in and make sure I was alright given… you know…”

Richard nods, then looks down at me with an exaggerated pout. “You left me alone when you said you wouldn’t.” 

“So needy,” I tease as I rest a hand against his solid chest, my fingers absently playing with the unbuttoned collar of his shirt. “You were talking with Michael so I figured you wouldn’t mind.” 

“Okay, new rule: when we’re at an event and you tell me you’re not wearing any knickers, you have to stay within arm’s reach.” 

I burst out laughing, though heat rises to my cheeks at his rumbled words. “Alright, I can abide by that rule.”

“You better.” He smirks before leaning in to kiss me. His lips are soft and warm against mine, sweetened by the wine he has sipped. I can feel passion simmering deep within him, and when I reluctantly pull away sometime later, all too aware of our surroundings, Richard groans quietly. He then takes one quick glance around the room before leaning in conspiringly. “I think we might be able to sneak out of here for a little bit,” he says in a quiet voice, then gulps, and I am momentarily distracted by the movement of his Adam’s apple. “You know, to explore the building like you wanted.” 

“Right. To explore the building,” I repeat, smiling innocently. He finishes his drink in one big gulp, then winks as he takes my hand to lead me out of the crowded room.

The sound of our shoes against the polished stone floor echoes through the long hallway as we search for a more private place to continue the evening, failing to contain our laughter as we try door after door, in vain. We have nearly reached the other end of the building when we finally stumble upon an unlocked door. We cast furtive glances around us to make sure we are alone before slipping inside what turns out to be a small reading room with bookshelf-lined walls and a few rows of desks, illuminated only by the lamposts in the street below. The sweet, earthy scent of aged paper and leather-bound tomes fills the air, but then Richard wraps his arms around me and pulls me close, laughter lingering in his eyes, and the familiar smell of his cologne surrounds me. I can still hear echoes of the party in the distance, but it all disappears when, with a soft smile, Richard leans in to rest his forehead against mine. One of his hands is now tangled in my hair, holding the back of my head and pulling me closer as we share our breath, lingering in this moment, allowing ourselves to pretend that the rest of the world does not exist. 

When he finally claims my lips in a hungry kiss, I let my eyes flutter close and, standing on my tiptoes, circle my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer to me as I drown in his passionate embrace, content to pretend that my only worry is knowing we will eventually need to pull apart for air. We move against each other out of instinct, ignoring the time and place, fuelled by an evening of flirting and lingering touches and our impending separation. He lets go of my lips to trace a path along my jaw, down my neck toward that sensitive spot below my ear, and the warmth of his tongue combined with the rasp of his beard sends heat spiralling down my spine. My hands are now buried in his hair, tugging on the soft curls, and he groans into my neck before reconnecting our lips. 

Without breaking the kiss, he effortlessly lifts me into his strong arms and sets me on one of the desks, spreading my legs apart with his body. Already, I ache for him; heat swirls through me, buzzing incessantly between my legs, and when he squeezes my left thigh with one of his large hands, I cannot help but buck towards him and whimper, the desperate sound of desire echoing through the room. 

“Be quiet, sweetheart,” Richard murmurs against my lips, and a rush of arousal floods my core. 

As his hand slides higher up my thigh and slips under my dress, I cannot help but chuckle. “Are we really doing this?” 

Richard grins. “Don’t act innocent; you knew we’d end up in this situation the moment you decided not to wear knickers.” I giggle into the kiss at the deep, unbridled lust coating his words. “I can’t resist you.”

He pulls away just enough to watch my face as he teasingly slides two fingers over my folds, coating me in my arousal. Biting my lips, I wriggle on the desk to grant him better access, and when his fingertips brush against my clit, the whole room seems to pulse with the intensity of the pleasure tingling through me. Richard knows my body by heart now—he knows exactly where and how to touch me to have me panting in his arms in no time. He sets up a languid pace, alternating between drawing circles on my clit and slipping a long finger inside me, only allowing himself to increase the pace when I latch onto his shoulders, my hands pulling on his tweed blazer. My breath hitches in my throat when he slips two fingers inside me, crooking them and almost instantly finding the spot that has me arching my back and whimpering his name. My legs are now wrapped around him, my thighs pressing into him as he catches my mouth, taking the breath from my lungs and the moans from my lips. 

My release washes over me in a dizzying wave, pulsing through every fibre of my being, leaving me hot and panting as I cling to Richard while he continues to pleasure me, not stopping until I collapse in his arms. A car horn echoes in the distance, reminding me of our surroundings. Even so, as I look up to meet Richard’s lust-darkened eyes, desire flares in me again, and the warm weight of his hardness pressing into my inner thigh reassures me that this is far from over. Licking my lips, I raise a hand to teasingly caress him through his trousers, revelling in the whimper he fails to hold back. One of his hands returns to my hair, gently tugging as I slowly reach for his belt buckle—

The door creaks open. 

In an instant, Richard and I pull apart, and I hasten to tug my dress back in place and press my thighs together just as a security guard steps inside. His eyes flicker between Richard and me, his expression a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. 

“Er, sorry, guys—this room is supposed to be closed. You can’t be in here.” 

Too mortified to speak, I turn to Richard, and he smiles sheepishly at the security guard. “Apologies, we didn’t realize. I was just showing her around.” 

The security guard nods, then steps back to let us pass. My face burns as we mumble apologies, but he walks away as quickly as he first appeared, leaving us to stand awkwardly outside the reading room. 

“I guess we should stick to our offices,” Richard muses playfully.

My heart still hammering in my chest, I look up at Richard, biting my lip, but then my eyes drift down to the noticeable bulge in his trousers, and I burst out laughing. 

“That man certainly won’t be losing any sleep trying to decipher what you meant by ‘showing me around’,” I giggle. 

Richard looks down and tries, in vain, to adjust his trousers. “Do you think he noticed?” 

“Well, I hope for his sake he doesn’t make a habit of staring at strangers’ crotches. But if he does, then yeah, he definitely noticed.” 

“It’s all your fault,” he replies with a grin. Laughing, I wrap my arms around him and look up to meet his tender gaze, but he quickly takes my arms and reasserts a more appropriate distance between us. “You’re not helping.”

“Sorry,” I chuckle as I straighten his blazer, not wanting to let go of him.

“Oh, yes—you look very sorry.” 

“How about I make it up to you instead?” 

Richard grins. “Does that mean we get to go home?” 

“Yeah, I think sneaking away sounds like a good plan.” 

The ride back to my flat is filled with stolen glances and lingering touches. As soon as we arrive and lock the door behind us, he pulls me in for a passionate kiss, and I melt in his arms. His touch is tender and possessive, and with each kiss, each caress, we reassert our love for each other, surrounded by the boxes that signal the beginning of our new life together.

Tag list: @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @bitter-sweet-farmgirl @i-did-not-mean-to @xxbyimm @middleearthpixie @enchantzz @myselfandfantasy @notlostgnome @laurfilijames @swoopswishsward @quiall321 @dianakc @sazzlep @albionscastle

If you’d like to be tagged in future chapters or added to my tag list, let me know!

[sarkos]

Lilly was a sort of Midwestern ideal type of the Lovecraftian protagonist: born in St. Paul to wealthy parents, he studied chemistry and philosophy from an early age. His undergraduate career at Caltech (1933-1938) almost exactly overlaps the period of the alchemist-Crowleyite John Whiteside Parsons’ GALCIT rocketry program there, and both were chemistry students. (Lilly and Parsons almost certainly met, Caltech not being that big a world in the Thirties, but what happened — or Happened — during that Trail of Cthulhu time slot has managed to go un-recorded in their various biographies.) He entered Dartmouth medical school in 1938, then transferred to Penn where he continued his Lovecraftian development by conducting various medical experiments on himself and writing a forbidden text: a book (this was 1942) called How To Build an Atomic Bomb. He conducted postgraduate work under pioneering biophysicist (and putative Majestic-12 member) Detlev Bronk and at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), doing research for the Air Force — among other things developing early electro-encephalograms and, in 1954, the first sensory deprivation tank. According to his memoirs, he was approached by the CIA to work on such things as animal-activated surveillance and explosives, and (perhaps) on the MK-ULTRA mind-control project. According to Lilly, he refused, nobly insisting that his work remain open for all. He loudly resigned from NIMH in 1958. Having boldly proclaimed his independence from government control, Lilly founded the Communication Research Institute Inc. (CRII) on the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. CRII was, of course, funded by NASA, the U.S. military, and possibly other shadowy figures. Lilly had become interested in the question of dolphin brains: much like those of humans, cetacean brains are very large in ratio to their bodies and have an even higher density of neurons. Lilly set up dolphin tanks and pools, and began to experiment on dolphins, most notoriously when his dolphin Peter fell for researcher Margaret Lowe Howitt while she tried to teach Peter to speak English. It wasn’t all dolphin grabass in the islands, though: Lilly also dissected and probed the brains of the cetaceans, in between drug experiments (on them and himself) and attempts to decipher dolphin communication by floating next to them in sensory deprivation tanks. James Wade’s terrific 1969 short story “The Deep Ones” provides a fictionalized Lilly in the form of Miskatonic hippie guru Alonzo Waite, and in the form of his opposite number, dolphin researcher Dr. Frederick Wilhelm. Most impressively, it casts the dolphins as one more intermediary between man and Cthulhu, cousin or evolutionary stage of the Deep Ones. Wade mentions the ancient Greek myth that dolphins were pirates turned into beasts by Dionysos, tying it wonderfully into the deeper Mythos truths of Dagon and human-oceanic interbreeding of the Innsmouth sort. Any Fall of Delta Green Handler has a whole mini-campaign just lying there between Wade’s fictions and the CRII’s madness. But it doesn’t end there. Wade doesn’t even bring in Lilly’s involvement in SETI, which (likely again via NASA back channels) wound up connecting Lilly and the CRII with astrophysicist Frank Drake, who considered dolphins a template for alien life on Earth. Lilly presented his dolphin theories at the Green Bank astrophysics conference in 1961 where Drake coined his famous equation for the probability of alien life. He was such a hit that Drake, Lilly, a pre-turtleneck Carl Sagan, and biologist J.B.S. Haldane all made up the “Order of the Dolphin” and wore dolphin lapel pins when they were wearing lapels, which wasn’t often in St. Thomas.

Call of Chicago: John C. Lilly, One-Man Mythos – Pelgrane Press Ltd

[jordi-ahava]

SO, AN ARTIST WALKS INTO A BUSINESS SCHOOL…

We’ll get to the nitty-gritty of the biz experience, I PROMISE, but I entered college as a sociology major. And I loved it.

I studied group behavior, societal trends, climate crisis panic, groupthink, intersectionality, and massive historical cultural shifts. It taught me how to look through many different people’s eyes, from all walks of life. I discovered the hybrid subject of historiology—a nerd’s paradise, the study of social patterns throughout history—and became entrenched in it, in a good way.

But that bachelor’s degree flew by in only two years, and I needed to find a new obsession.

I wanted to continue to explore fashion, since I’d worked in the space for a few years already and wanted to go deeper. But there’s no major for fashion, at least at Binghamton... How could I make this work?

I did some research on the different business majors at Binghamton, since that felt like the next best thing. I came across their Leadership and Consulting program, and noticed that they mentioned retail consulting in the degree description. And before I knew it, I was enrolled in Binghamton’s dual degree program, and strapped in for another rollercoaster two years. Reactions were… mixed.

People that know me best are aware of my math difficulties. Ever since I was a child, the most basic of math functions stumped me, and to this day, I still struggle to conceptualize them. That, and I was one of the few students not going into accounting or finance, a rarity at Binghamton’s School of Management, which limited my resources. I was also enrolling in a school where I (half-knew) one person, so this was a completely new world.

But something saved me, and kept me on track with my peers, and that was my ability to be creative.

Now, they’re not exactly asking employees to paint masters at McKinsey, but the ability to come up with ideas from thin air? Well, that’s as priceless as a Da Vinci.

Being an artist helped me use different skills to study this new material. Finance modules became songs, management presentations became performances, and my business technology deliverables used many more colors than the suggested palette. Everything was… dare I say… FUN.

This helped me get through all of my general education requirements, and made projects super enjoyable. My teammates would be incredibly helpful and teach me about numbers and data analysis, and I would teach them about graphic design and product innovation. Win-win!

That balance was a GODSEND, and it made me appreciate my peers so much more—they were teaching me just as much as my professors were.

It wasn’t without roadblocks, though. Sometimes I wanted to deviate from rubrics and go far beyond what was asked of me, (HOT TIP: do not ask your finance professor if you can attach a moodboard to your balance sheet) and not being able to use my creative instincts stung.

But now that I’m in my senior year and exploring postgraduate opportunities… it’s proving to be a strength I am grateful for. Sharing mine or other’s art with employers, professors, and peers brings me closer to them; and it allows me to relate to them by discussing something they might love, too.

Today, I was asked to speak in the freshman management class at the business school. With my full chest, I told all those wide-eyed freshmen to take an art class.

Maybe I will be attaching a moodboard to my next job application… watch out, LinkedIn.

[careermantradotorg]

Bennett University: A Leading Destination for Quality Higher Education

When it comes to choosing the right university, students are not just looking for academic excellence but also for institutions that provide holistic development. Bennett University, located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is emerging as a prime destination for higher education in India. Established by the Times of India Group in 2016, Bennett University is dedicated to empowering students with cutting-edge skills and global perspectives.

Why Bennett University Stands Out

1. World-Class Curriculum

Bennett University offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs designed in collaboration with leading global institutions. The curriculum is tailored to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market, especially in areas like engineering, management, law, and media.

The University emphasizes experiential learning, ensuring that students are equipped with practical skills to excel in real-world scenarios. The faculty includes accomplished academicians and industry professionals, providing students with invaluable insights into their fields.

2. Industry Partnerships and Internships

Bennett University has strong collaborations with leading companies, offering students unparalleled exposure to industry trends. These partnerships open up a wide array of opportunities, including internships and live projects, where students can apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

The University’s ties with global giants like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and IBM enable students to participate in exclusive training sessions, hackathons, and innovation challenges.

3. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

The Bennett University campus is designed to foster an environment conducive to learning and innovation. Spread over 68 acres, the campus boasts modern classrooms, laboratories, and research centers. The University is equipped with the latest technological tools to provide students with a world-class education experience.

Additionally, the university offers excellent hostel facilities, libraries, recreational spaces, and sports amenities to ensure that students have a well-rounded campus life.

4. Global Exposure and International Collaborations

What truly sets Bennett University apart is its global outlook. The institution has partnered with internationally renowned universities, including Georgia Tech, Johnson Cornell, and Babson College, allowing students to gain global exposure through exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and international conferences.

This international collaboration enables students to understand global academic and professional standards, making them highly competitive in the global job market.

5. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem

Bennett University is committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among students. The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is a hub where students can work on innovative ideas and develop them into market-ready products. The CIE provides mentorship, incubation, and funding opportunities to budding entrepreneurs.

With the growing startup culture in India, Bennett’s focus on entrepreneurship ensures that students are ready to contribute to and lead new ventures.

6. Placements and Career Support

Bennett University has a dedicated placement cell that works tirelessly to ensure that students secure positions in top companies. The university has an impressive placement record, with graduates being hired by leading multinational corporations such as Google, Deloitte, Microsoft, and Tata Consultancy Services.

The placement team also offers career counseling, soft skills training, and interview preparation to help students present themselves confidently to prospective employers.

Courses Offered at Bennett University

Bennett University offers a diverse range of courses across multiple disciplines:

Engineering: B.Tech (in various specializations including Computer Science, Electronics, and Biotechnology)

Management: BBA, MBA

Law: BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.)

Media and Liberal Arts: BA (Journalism and Mass Communication), BA Liberal Arts

Doctoral Programs: Ph.D. in various fields

Each program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Campus Life at Bennett University

Campus life at Bennett is vibrant, with a wide range of cultural, social, and academic activities. The university organizes frequent guest lectures, workshops, and seminars to enrich students’ learning experiences. Moreover, Bennett has numerous student clubs and societies that cater to a variety of interests, from performing arts to robotics and coding.

Sports enthusiasts also have ample opportunities to engage in activities such as cricket, basketball, football, and swimming. With its blend of academics and extracurricular activities, Bennett University ensures that students develop both personally and professionally.

Why Choose Bennett University?

Choosing Bennett University is about more than just earning a degree. It’s about becoming part of a community that is committed to excellence, innovation, and leadership. With its focus on holistic development, Bennett University ensures that students are prepared to take on challenges, drive change, and lead in their respective fields.

For students looking for a university that offers world-class education, industry exposure, and global opportunities, Bennett University is the perfect choice.

[townpostin]

Karim City College Hosts Finance and Marketing Seminar

M.Com students present papers on NABARD, business growth, and fund management Karim City College’s Commerce Department organizes seminar on finance and marketing for postgraduate students. JAMSHEDPUR – The Postgraduate Department of Commerce at Karim City College hosted a one-day seminar on finance and marketing for M.Com Semester-4 students. Over 60 students participated in the event, presenting…

[immemorymag]

I'm Kristina, born in Skopje, Macedonia. 

I am currently a postgraduate student, engrossed in crafting my master's thesis in contemporary philosophy.

As a film photographer immersed in the realms of philosophy, I seek to capture the essence of emotions through my lens. My photographs serve as visual narratives, weaving the tapestry of feelings into each frame. Driven by a profound need for visual expression, I navigate the intersection of philosophy and the art of film photography, crafting images that speak about the human experience.

My affection for photography is a love letter to cinema, particularly the enchantment found in Old European movies and the timeless elegance of vintage aesthetics. Through my lens, I seek to revive the sentiments of a bygone era, capturing nostalgia with a soft touch.

In the realm of visual arts, I am an explorer, weaving the tactile beauty of film into the digital and analog realms. Experimentation becomes my guide as I craft collages that bridge the past and present. Each creation is a humble attempt to blend mediums, offering a glimpse into the harmonious dance of emotions and technique.

[rosebergs]

Hey guys!

So I've been trying to get into writing again after taking a break for a while during university, and I've been so inspired by so much of the work that is on this F1 space. This is a snippet from an ongoing word document and university au that I've been using as stress relief while studying, and is just a bit of fluff with Nico and Jenson.

As I've said, this is a draft and I have taken a long break from writing so I do not make any promises that is anything decent and please don't hold back from any criticism! It is absolutely out of character for them and my only defence is that they are both very tired postgraduate students and I may be projecting as a very tired postgraduate student.

Words: 1831

It was quiet between them, the weight of feelings unsaid for six years heavy between them. Nico could barely breathe, afraid that he would ruin this once again. Jenson seemed as tentative as him, blue eyes flicking back and forth to him, for once not running his mouth at the slightest hint of a silence. They both held onto the rail in front of them, hands gripping on from fear.

Fear of what, Nico wondered. The worst had already happened for both of them. He still had nightmares of that night at the pier, and each and every time he had woken up to Jenson beside him, pulling him out of the water all over again. He had spent too long being afraid of what could happen, he had become a passive participant in his own life, letting himself get used to pain and distance. His Dad had always laughed and called him demanding as a child, an only natural occurrence when you are brought up in his wealth. When had he stopped that? When had he stopped expecting the best for himself and started accepting the worst? Where had that stubborn, blond haired boy been when Alex had hit him the first time, where had been the certainty that he was loved enough for it to matter? When did he start to believe that he was no longer worth the care and love he had taken for granted as a child? Why did he believe that he was so incapable of being treated with devotion that he had stopped loving himself?

He couldn’t answer that, nor could he go back.

He could only forgive the twenty-year-old he had been, the young man heartbroken enough at losing one of his best friends from his own stupidity that he had forgotten he was deserving of every devotion and more. The boy so lost and confused that he had run head first into the pain and hurt Alex had disguised as affection. The terrified student lost in the waves until his best friends had been there to drag him back to land.

He could forgive himself. And he knew the best way.

Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand over Jenson’s.

The light from inside the apartment fell perfectly onto their joint hands, illuminating them against the darkness. Jenson shuddered and turned his hand over, taking Nico’s back and bringing it to his mouth. The touch of his lips to the freckles on his knuckles felt holy.

Nico wanted him so badly it hurt. It ached within him, a six-year-old wound being soothed by the gentle kiss of a man who had seen him at his worst and stayed.

Jenson kept a hold of his hand, keeping his eyes locked with Nico’s, his blue mirroring the love he was sure was present in his. They were searching for something Nico didn’t have words for. What else could he do but nod.

Jenson reached down, arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him close as Nico’s found their way around his neck, one hand cupping his face.

“Is this okay?” Jenson whispered, close enough now that Nico could trace his freckles under his stubble. He nodded, a smile breaking on his face as easy as a wave on the shore.

“It’s okay.”

Like a prayer, their lips met. Nico gasped at the feeling of the other’s against his own, his hand falling and flying into Jenson’s hair, a touch he had committed to his most shameful nights since that fateful day in second year. This time, he could have it.

He had it.

“I have you,” he realised, breathless in the gap that opened between them as their chests heaved. Jenson’s face split into a grin, one of his hands coming up to cup Nico’s face and wipe away the tears he didn’t even realise had fallen.

“You have me.”

The dam was broken, and they came back together, Nico not even bothering to hide his delighted giggle at the thought. He was light, he was sensation itself, he was his lips on Jenson’s, his ribs between his hands, his hands locked into the blond mop of the other man, his eyes burning now with tears of a love realised.

He was Jenson’s. He was free.

He didn’t know how long they had been out there until a resounding bunch of cheers came from the open window by the fire escape. He collapsed back into Jenson’s arms, laughing in their shared delight and trusting Jenson enough to catch him again. Jenson was laughing too, pressing his lips into his hair and holding him close enough to pull him into his ribcage should he so wish.

Nico would let him at this point.

Mark and Lewis were hanging out the window, hollering and seemingly uncaring of the weight of Sebastian and Fernando on top of them.

“Fucking finally!” Mark yelled, the street light catching the glee in his eyes as he hoisted a cheering Sebastian higher on his back.

“Only took you six years!” Lewis screamed, and Nico was so full of love for him, for them all, for holding onto him when he started to get lost. The thought wasn’t accompanied by guilt for once, just a bone- deep affection for the men he was lucky enough to call his friends.

“Go away!” Jenson cackled, spinning them around so he could see them all better, “I’m getting my boy here!”

Nico couldn’t stop laughing, half- heartedly hitting him on the shoulder but delighting in the sentiment. He reached up, pulling Jenson back down and kissing him again because he could, because he could now, and barley noticed the ensuing hollers from the window. Jenson reciprocated as eagerly, pushing deeper and deeper with his mouth as if he wanted nothing more than to lay claim to Nico, lay claim to every inch of his mouth and his whole body.  He didn’t even hear the others going back inside, only registering the quiet broken only by their shuddering gasps and the muffled sound of music from indoors. He held onto Jenson, burrowing into that wide chest and letting his arms pull him even closer.

“Just in case it wasn’t clear,” Jenson murmured, dropping his nose into his hair and speaking the words into the top of his head, “I love you.”

Nico could only let out a shuddering breath, clinging even tighter to Jenson. The ache in his soul disappeared, soothed by the very words he had longed for.

“I love you too,” he whispered, kissing the patch of skin where Jenson had left a shirt button unopened and enjoying the shudder that ran through the older man. “I’ve loved you for six years.”

Jenson huffed out a laugh at that, pulling Nico back and cupping his face with nothing but tenderness and care.

“I can’t believe you waited,” he choked, tears beginning to pool in his own eyes. It was Nico’s turn to wipe them away.

“You were worth it,” Nico could only get out, his own tears spilling over again. Jenson smiled at him again, thumbs brushing gently across his cheekbones. He choked a bit, gathering himself in a way Nico had only seen before he did presentations or spoke to students.

“I doubt that, but Nico I-”

“No don’t do that-”

“No, let me speak, let me be brave Nico, please, you’ve been so brave already darling.”

Nico couldn’t hide his grin at the pet name, but nodded for him to continue.

“Nico, I have been an idiot. I liked you from the minute you walked into the kitchen with your, I don’t know, your Chanel luggage in first year. I was so scared, not just because you were a boy but because you were, well, you. You were so put together Nico, it was terrifying. I wanted you in a way I didn’t know how to say, but I was an idiot. I was so scared of you not wanting me back and of you seeing me for the mess I am, it was easier to shove it down. It was easy to keep dating and sleeping with girls, and I kept trying to find you in them. And then you kissed me that night, and it felt so right, that for a minute I nearly let myself have it. Then I woke up, and I felt awful for taking advantage of you when you were drunk, and it was the easy option to call Jessica.”

He paused, gulping for air. Nico reached up and kissed his cheek, gently tracing the line of stubble and waited for him to continue. He knew this next bit enough to know it would hurt.

“And then you met Alex, and we stopped talking, and it felt like the worst year of my life. I was so worried for you, we all were, and I was so jealous of him I couldn’t see how much you were hurting until it was nearly too late. God, Nico, I’ll never forget that night, you know? I thought you were dead for a minute when Mark brought you up and it was the most terrifying minute I’ve ever gone through. And I was so proud of you when you broke it off and when you went to therapy, you have no idea how proud I was. I just accepted then, that I was in love with you, but I promised to wait until you were ready.”

Tears were cascading down Nico’s face now. Jenson was staring down softly at him now, matching tear tracks on his own face.

“I love you, Nico,” he whispered, bringing him back in again.

“I love you too, Jenson,” he breathed, letting him. When they kissed this time, it didn’t feel like a triumph,

It felt like coming home.

They parted again, Nico shivering at the slick sound of their lips parting. Jenson seemed to feel it too, swallowing and gripping even tighter if that was possible. He could only blame that for the idiotic sentence that came from him.

“Will you be my boyfriend?”

Jenson let out one of his signature barking laughs, kissing the pout on Nico’s face that followed the outburst.

“I think that’s a given, darling.”

“Jenson-”

Another quick kiss shut him up and left him boneless.

“Of course I’ll be your boyfriend.”

The pout tipped upwards into another grin.

“I have to wine and dine you properly now, don’t I?”

“I expect nothing but the best.”

“And you deserve it Nico. You deserve the best.”

“You’re the best.”

A fond smile. Another kiss. Nico’s thoughts had shattered into fragments by now.

“And you’re my best. My love.”

He didn’t know what to say in the face of such devotion given wholeheartedly to him. All he could do was steal another kiss from Jenson’s red, bitten lips. Jenson was only too happy to let him, dipping him back and kissing through the grins on both their faces.

“My Nico.”

[whitereptile]

1 pic - classic... you get it but the second...

modern!au or whatever

plot: presenting you main characters of "War and Peace" in 21st century where every character is student of Russian State University for the Humanities!!

Pierre is an undergrad student of faculty of political science. He entered university for paid tuition but switched to grant thanks to his knowledge. He wasn't popular with girls until people found out that Pierre's dad is a co-founder of some big company. Since then, he has been dating with his classmate Elen (a.k.a. main wh..chick in the university, who hanging around every night and flirts with professors). Ofc she is with him because of money. He doesn't even like her, but who knows about that? They don't even have good sex

Andrei is a postgraduate student of law school. He is the main crush of all freshmen girls. Such a mysterious gentleman, he covers lessons of prof. Kutuzov, planning to continue to develop in this sphere. Also, he got married early and is already divorced, has a son. But non of the girls from faculty of psychology cares, 'cause they adore him.

Natasha is a freshmen of Faculty of Journalism. She is cool! She is on paid tuition. She often skips university, but she participates in all events, knows everyone from student council, and professors love her and give her good grades because of her charisma. At some point She had a crush on Bolkonsky. he, the fool, fell in love with her. Now they're the coolest couple in the uni.

Pierre has known Natasha since school, 'cause their moms are friends. Pierre and Natasha are good friends. Bezukhov fell for Natasha, when she entered university, but doesn't admit it. Pierre's known Andrei since first year of uni when Bolkonsky soldered him on some party. They started talking about everything and became best friends, meeting in bar from time to time, discussing women. Pierre even babysat Nikolay once.

And this war Pierre who introduced Andrei to Natasha during some university event. And here we go

Gosh, I have thousands of ideas for this au капец я благодарствую Варечке моей любимой за то, что она такая лапуля и перевела этот кусок кала для тумбы пипец гиперфиксация на ВиМ держит меня на плаву и я ненавижу рисовать клетку вонючую

[daloy-politsey]

While JROTC may foster leadership development for some, what the program undeniably does well is enable military recruitment in high schools. In their public statements, military officials claim that JROTC does not engage in recruiting. But when appearing before Congress, they sing a different tune.

Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan, Chief of Naval Personnel, proudly told the Senate Armed Services Committee in 2002 that approximately 40 percent of those who enrolled in Naval JROTC pursued a career in the military after graduation. “Although predominantly a citizenship program,” he added, “JROTC presents a positive presence in schools and in the public, thereby enhancing Navy recruiting efforts.” In 2019 congressional testimony, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper admitted that JROTC “tends to . . . encourage kids to join the military at higher rates than anywhere else.”

In the most rigorous study of the topic, economists at the Naval Postgraduate School found that JROTC so effectively serves as a turnstile for the military that it is best understood as a form of vocational training. The only difference between JROTC and classes like automotive mechanics, they noted, is that “JROTC prepares students for careers in the military.” Thus, while not technically recruiting youth into the military, the program is important to the military’s operations.

Given recent revelations, educators should reassess their relationship with JROTC, and military officials should come clean about the purpose of this program. In their communication with parents, and their training for high school principals, JROTC leaders should acknowledge what their program is designed to do: prepare America’s children for military service.

[chaossmagic]

A couple of months ago I applied for a postgraduate research conference at my university...and I just found out I've been accepted with minor adjustments to my proposal! So I'm going to be presenting my research to the postgraduate students and teaching staff across the university in November!