"... new appreciation for the degree of autonomy and respect for ideas that the university can offer" - Dr Gregory Fried.

Taking the step up from postdoctoral research to full-time academia comes naturally to some. Dr Greg Fried of the Department of Philosophy shared his experience.

"I taught various philosophy courses as a temporary lecturer at UCT, and then received a postdoctoral fellowship. I took up a permanent lectureship at the beginning of July this year.

"I definitely didn't feel unseen or unheard as a postdoc. The philosophy department is a highly collegial place, with various seminars and informal discussions. Also, I was lecturing, so there was plenty of contact with students.

"My postdoctoral research was on the relations between aesthetics and mathematics. My long-term project is to explore the aesthetic dimensions of mathematics; for example, what roles do concepts such as elegance and beauty play in the development and presentation of mathematics? How are aesthetic considerations in mathematics related to those in other fields, like painting and sculpture?

"My teaching interests and experience are much broader than the area in which I'm researching. My areas of teaching include the history of philosophy, logic and epistemology and political philosophy.

"I'm very happy about my decision to become an academic. After some years outside it, I re-entered academia with a new appreciation for the degree of autonomy and respect for ideas that the university can offer."