The idea of this blog is to keep something of a diary of reflections over the course of my studies. It’s mainly for me to maintain a vague geography of my research directions, the difficulties and successes I have experienced during my journey. Nevertheless, I would be delighted to know that perhaps along the way, some other person—or Russian bot—might take an interest in some aspect of that journey. So do please feel free to leave a comment.

I have called this journal Xenophoria to try capture that sense of wonder and optimism we sometimes feel on encountering an entirely new culture or way of viewing the world. My coinage is a composite of the prefix xeno- which means ‘difference’ or ‘the unknown’, and the term euphoria which means ‘joy’. It is to this spirit of wonder at the astonishing diversity this Earth holds that I dedicate this journal. Let us always try to approach new ideas from a place of joy and optimism, rather than a place of fear.