Evan Spotte-Smith (they/them)Today, I start as an Ad Astra Fellow @ucddublin.bsky.social, which means that today's my first day as a professor.
I don't know how to feel. This was my dream. It's what I worked for, and it finally happened! But I never thought it'd happen like this. (1/4)
#AcademicSky #NewPI #CompChem 🧪 ⚗️
I'm beyond privileged to be able to conduct research, to design curricula, and to work with undergraduate and graduate students. I'm absurdly lucky to have gotten this chance not just once but twice and to have had a job to run to when I felt I needed to flee the United States of America. (2/4)
I'm overjoyed. I'm grateful. I'm relieved. At the same time, there's a deep grief for what could have been (should have been) in the USA and at CMU. I remain afraid and heartbroken for those who can't leave the USA and those who are choosing to stay and fight. (3/4)
Anyways, today, I try not to be drowned in grief and instead to focus on the excitement of a new start and new possibilities at UCD. Today, I get to be Professor Spotte-Smith in a country and a city where I don't feel afraid. There will be time to grieve and to rage, some other day. (4/4)