I am fortunate enough to have my dream job (and lifestyle) in that I hold a permanent post at the University of Gloucestershire, lecturing in Philosophy. When I’m not teaching or getting bogged down in University administration, I try to attend and present my work at conferences and public talks (generally at my own expense), and try to fit in the time to carry out my own research, thinking about things that are of interest to me: which pretty much covers any philosophical issue, from ethics to politics to science to religion. And I guess that’s why I love philosophy; it covers pretty much everything and I can develop my knowledge in so many different areas.
My official and professional website can be found here: www.emilyryall.net
Other than my academic and professional work, I love sport and physical activity. My main sport is rugby, having started when I first when to University. I now play for Bristol after having played previously for London Saracens, Clifton and Lakenham Hewitt. I also play quite a lot of touch rugby which I particularly enjoy as it is one of the few truly mixed sports there is. I also regularly attend a great gymnastics class where I can throw myself around and into sponge pits without the fear of serious injury; something that I am frequently reminded of when I get out for a roll on my skateboard on somewhat less forgiving concrete.
Added to all this is a bit of surfing, a spot of tennis and squash, as well as the more regular trips to the fitness suite and swimming pool.
All this appears that I may not have time to do much else, and that is probably true. My life seems to be a delicate balance of reading, thinking and writing, and getting out and having fun. But then I guess that is what makes it a good life, or achieving ‘eudeumonia’ as Aristotle called it. And I need to keep reminding myself how fortunate I am.
