Introduction

One distinguishing feature of my career, it that I have lived and worked in many different countries, something I always chose to do out of my own initiative. In fact, two thirds of my working life I spent in the Global South. I lived in some of the poorest countries in the world, some ravaged by civil strife, where child mortality is high and life expectancy short. In some of these countries, polio, cholera and leprosy are still common. Sadly, in Papua New Guinea for example, even tribal warfare and witch burning are still regular occurrences and widely reported in the newspapers. In a few weeks, I will be starting a new professional challenge in a neighboring European country, a few hours' drive away. For me a minor transition.

Lecturing about research support at universities in 2010 in Turkey

Friends and family often ask me why I am moving again. The short answer is that I always seek decent, meaningful work and respectful employers so that I can contribute to my community and society at large. However, the longer answer is more complex. Looking back, the main reasons for moving about can be partly attributed to "Fortuna" or fate, partly my decisions to leave when prospects seemed dim, and partly due to my value-based choice for meaningful work and making a difference in the world.