On the long list of things in academic writing that make me cringe is – of course – the use of active form, incorrect use of insufficient biographies, and frivolous acknowledgements. I’m currently reviewing a paper for a journal, which brings…
Early in 2017, I got an email with the subject: Invitation for the Post of Editorial Board Membership In Academia, being on the editorial board for a journal is a Real Big Deal – second, of course, to being Editor-in-Chief…
I recently got through reviewing a pile of papers for a conference. Sadly, there weren’t any gems in the pile – but there were several instances of of an unfortunate figure of style, all too common in paper abstracts –…
Occasionally, I get emails from students at Ecole Polytechnique, which – when they write me in English, all too often start: “Dear Sir,…” – or “Dear Sir Clausen”, or (even worse) “Dear Sir Thomas”. While the respect is appreciated, I…