Where has been your favorite travel destination and why?

SL: I've always really loved Spain. It brings back good memories of family holidays when I was small and now I can take my own children there. The sunshine, the wine and the olives! What's not to like?

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

SL: This year I've started creating my own liqueurs. Inspired by a bottle of limoncello cream which I picked up in Spain and couldn't source back home, I decided to make my own. So far I've made limoncello, limoncello cream, watermelon tequila (perfect for margaritas), and strawberry & basil vodka. I'm really looking forward to making Damson Gin in the autumn when the fruit is in season. I think I enjoy making liqueurs as much as I do drinking them, and all you really need to get started is a few Kilner jars and some online recipes.

What show are you currently binge-watching?

SL: I've just started watching Killing Eve. I know, I'm quite late to the party with this one.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

SL: My perfect day would be spent climbing a mountain (or often several). Hiking allows me to disconnect with the everyday and reconnect with nature, which feels so replenishing. The hike is usually followed by fish & chips somewhere. I'm not even sorry — I earned it!

What skill would you most like to learn?

SL: I've always wanted to learn a new language. I've taken classes before, but this always gets deprioritised due to other commitments. Maybe someday…

What's your most-used productivity hack?

SL: Closing the Outlook and Teams apps while working on a particular task usually helps. I also picked up a useful technique when I was writing my doctoral thesis. It's called the Pomodoro method and involves focusing on one task for short (20/25mins) chunks of time. This technique is particularly good for tasks that you have little motivation to do (like my thesis toward the end).

What piece of advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career?

SL: I would probably tell myself not to be so hard on myself. Don't compare your own skills and knowledge to people with thirty years more experience than you. Its okay to make mistakes as these help you to learn and grow.