"Farewell, civilization" - opinion peace in Khrono

Yesterday my letter to the editor "Farvel, sivilisasjon" (Farewell, civilization) was published in Khrono. The text draws on Peter Wessel Zapffe´s "Farvel, Norge" (1958) and relates to a debate about academic studies started by politician and member of parliament Peter C. Frølich.

2024: Shortest work year in living memory, at "only" 138% of normal work year

I have just summed up my work year in 2024 based on my log of working hours. 2024 stands out as the shortest work year in living memory (with my work log going back to 2009), with an average work week of 44,7 hours all weeks in the year included. This amounts to 2335,5 work hours, which compares to 138% of an ordinary work year. I worked 180 hours less than in 2023, which was at that point my shortest work year in living memory. This has contributed to a better work/life balance, with more time for karate training and relaxation; since the summer of 2024 I have also taken up daily meditation. And I still got quite a bit done in my working hours - though I got to attend fewer international scientific conferences in person than I´ve been used to, due to budget cuts at University of Stavanger.

Even though it went down from 2023, the share of my work time I spent on research in 2024 was the second-highest in living memory (after 2023). Similarly, the share of my work time I spent on research plus book projects was the second-highest ever, after 2023. Research was the largest category in terms of work hours in 30 weeks, vs. 17 for teaching, supervision and grading etc., and 6 for book projects. Book projects was the category whose share of all work hours increased the most from 2023, in result of my prioritisation of getting Captured: CCS and the fight for the soul of the environmental movement finished by Summer 2025.

Cristin: 24 posts in 2022; 317 altogether

I have just completed registration of academic activities in Cristin, the Current research information system in Norway (cf. my Cristin profile) - 24 posts. This includes:

* 5 scientific texts (2 book chapters, 1 co-written article, 1 commentary, 1 Festschrift contribution)

* 5 conference talks

* 4 chronicles

* 4 interviews

For 2021 I had 19 posts. Altogether I now have 317 posts since I started registering in Cristin in 2012.

2019 registrations in Cristin; record number of activities reported

I have just completed my 2019 registrations in Current Research Information System in Norway (Cristin), cf. my profile. Altogether 44 posts, which is a new record. This includes 3 articles that should give publication points (2 authored alone, 1 co-authored), 8 scientific conference presentations, 7 appearances on national radio (2 of which also on national TV), and 6 more interviews in national media (altogether 13 appearances in national media). It also includes a new edition of a co-edited book (paperback) and a text book (e-book), some edited works, and popular science lectures.

Total number of posts in Cristin is now 252 (I started registering in Cristin in 2012).

Read in 2018

In 2018, I logged having read some 6.709 pages of academic literature.

Philosophy and subjectivity - input to report and renewal application

Today I have compiled input to the report so far of the UiS program area for research "Filosofi og subjektivitet", in relation to our application for renewal of the program area.

Second part of Delphi study

A couple of days ago I conducted the second part on a Delphi study on play (checking wording of definitions).

Grant reporting of academic activities for 2015

Today I have completed reporting activities in 2015 in relation to the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis" (EMP151). I have also coordinated the reporting from other members of the Norwegian research group, and the Norwegian reporting of financial accounts.

Readings 2014

This last year, in 2014, I read some 5.690 pages of academic literature (with author known), according to my notes (not much at all). This is significantly below the 7,096 pages I read in 2013, and what I have read the last few preceding years.

See also: 

Readings 2013

Readings 2012

2848 work hours logged in 2015

According to my regular overview, I had 2.848 work hours in 2015. This is about the same level as in 2014, and results in an average work week of 54,6 hours throughout the year.

According to my calculations, academic work amounted to 75,0 % of my work in 2015, book projects and writing for 8,5 % and other work for 16,5 %.

439 blog posts in 2015

2015 saw 439 blog posts in Utopian Realism. This is second-highest in the history of the blog (established 2008), slightly below the record level in 2014.

Despite the high frequency of posting, I am only keeping track, more or less, with current activities, and not really catching up with my old backlog.

Peer-review for Anthropocene Review

This autumn I have peer-reviewed a paper for The Anthropocene Review, published by SAGE.

Peer-review for Elsevier

This Spring I peer-reviewed a book proposal for Elsevier.

Academia.edu now with poorer functionality

I don´t quite like the new version of Academia.edu. The functionality is poorer with regard to editing and ordering of talks. Nevertheless, I keep updating my Academica.edu profile page.

EMP151 reporting for 2014

In the very beginning of February I reported 2014 activities to the research project "Animals in Changing Environments: Cultural Mediation and Semiotic Analysis" (EMP151).

Minding Animals Norway board meeting attended

Today I have attended the board meeting of Minding Animals Norway. Among the topics were establishment of MAN´s first local chapter, which is in process.

Peer-review for Environmental Philosophy

Last year I peer-reviewed a paper for the journal Environmental Philosophy.

Peer review for Sign Systems Studies

Last year I peer-reviewed a paper for Sign Systems Studies.

Peer review for Czech Science Foundation

Last year I peer-reviewed a research application for Czech Science Foundation. This was the third peer-review I did for them.

Peer-review for Public Journal of Semiotics

Last year I peer-reviewed a paper for Public Journal of Semiotics.