Robert O'Toole is based in E-lab, which is the division of IT Services responsible for co-ordinating the delivery of the e-strategy programme and researching and developing new technologies, especially in the areas of web services, e-learning and business systems.

Position
Arts Faculty E-learning Advisor

Which means
Guiding the development of the University’s e-learning systems to meet the requirements of the Arts Faculty, and then assisting Faculty staff and students in using them.

Favourite phrase
I’m blogging this!

Least favourite phrase
Institutional Virtual Learning Environment.

Magazines read
None, I’m too busy (trying) to read books.

Life before Warwick
Warwick, more Warwick, a bit of Sussex, a lot of Oxford, school teaching, and a short spell working for an international criminal conspiracy in The City.

Smartest career move
Leaving the above mentioned criminal conspiracy before things turned nasty.

Best thing about working at Warwick
Being surrounded by people who take their research very seriously, whilst enjoying it greatly and allowing students at every level to participate and benefit from it.

Worst thing about working at Warwick?
The academic diversity is great, but having to cope with it on a daily basis is quite challenging.

Lifelong ambition
To actually start the philosophy PhD on aesthetics that I’ve been planning for ten years.

People are always surprised to learn this about me, but?
I’m from Coventry.

As a young child, what did you want to be as a 'grown-up'?
A writer.
Now that you are a grown-up, what would be your 'dream job'?
Arts Faculty E-learning Advisor, but in an alternative reality that has 48 hours in a day.

What has life's experience taught you so far?
24 hour days are far too short.

Major achievement to date?
My Warwick Philosophy degree.

What do you treasure most?
Creativity.

Any hidden talents?
No, as they are already visible in my blog.

If you could change one thing in the University overnight, what would it be?
Make everyone appreciate just how great it is.
Which person inspires you most, and why?
The travel writer Ted Simon (aged 72) who recently rode his BMW motorcycle around the world, for the second time.

Your all-time favourite record or piece of music?
Everything by Kate Bush (I’m just so un-cool).

Your favourite hobby or pastime?
Riding my BMW off-road motorcycle.

Career path
Professor of Blogging?

Current role
Blog enthusiast.

Additional biographical information:
Robert is 33, and married to Emma, a primary school teacher from Botswana and Kent. They met at a Christmas party at Westwood campus in 1991. Earlier this year they moved to Kenilworth from Oxford, and for Robert and Emma it really felt like they were coming back home. You can find out more about Robert's work, research, travels and life by visiting: blogs.warwick.ac.uk/rbotoole.