Geraldine Fitzpatrick, Professor of Human Computer Interaction at the University of Technology in Vienna, chats to teaching and research academics about the changes academic life is undergoing, from increased workloads and performance ratings to the effects of the corporatisation of academia. Recent editions of the series include Professor Jennifer Mankoff on dealing with disability and chronic disease as an academic, Professor Moshe Vardi on publication pressures, student stress, mid-career mentoring and societal obligations, and Professor Leysia Palen on creating a new research area, the long path to tenure and starting a department.