Achintya Rao’s Now Page

General situation

These days, I am a bit bewildered by the UK Government’s transphobic and anti-immigrant stances, to put it mildly. As a transgender woman and an immigrant, the last few weeks haven’t been great for my mental state.

On that note, if anyone at a scientific organisation or research institute in the EU is looking for a highly qualified, experienced and talented science communicator, and can issue visas for skilled workers, please contact me!

On the horizon

In a few weeks, I will be moving into a new flat in Bristol with my partner. I am excited!

Before that, however, I will be travelling for work to Aberdeen, to attend PCST 2025. After having travelled from Geneva to Istanbul (2016) and Dunedin (2018) for previous PCST conferences, travelling within the country – and by train at that – will be a new experience.

Pursuits

My aim for this year is to acquire a UK driving licence. I don’t need or want one, but it would come in handy if I ever have to rent a car. It is a shame that, having driven in Europe for around a decade with not so much as a parking ticket, I cannot simply exchange my Indian licence. I understand why, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

For what feels like forever, I have been helping Amanda with her English translation of an old and famous Finnish text. The translation has been complete for a while, and I intend to finish editing it in the coming weeks before starting work on formatting the final piece for various platforms.

Hobbies

I recently bought a five-string acoustic bass guitar (to go with my five-string electric bass guitar, acquired last year), in the hopes that I will practise more when there is less of a faff getting started.

Cricket season has resumed, and I have gotten off to a glorious start, scoring 0(3) and 0(2) in two friendlies so far. On the plus side, I did pick up three wickets in the first match and two in the second. The first competitive game for the Bedminster 6th XI is this Saturday.

Oh, and I did a little typesetting for Juli’s little poetry zine a few weeks ago. That was so lovely, and reminded me of my Malhar days, when I was involved with the festival’s official newspaper.