Choice and reasoning

Walking to an event in London yesterday, my route took me past Home House, 20 Portman Square.

In a former career life, I wrote a doctoral thesis, later a book, in which Home House featured prominently. I also taught students about its architectural significance, including its exceptional interiors, architects and client.

I had almost forgotten this part of my career and my achievements in that field, until I had a long-overdue catch up with my former PhD supervisor Christine Stevenson this week. She mentioned that someone had referenced my book in their new book.

So my former work is still out there living a life of its own. Meanwhile I have moved through three very different fields and many more jobs since I submitted my thesis 20 years ago.

Occupation-wise, I’m now a long way from the world of architectural history, but am I really so far from the interests that I pursued during my time in it?

My research focused on public and private expectations and perceptions of the later eighteenth-century town house in London. It looked at what people wanted and why; the choices they made and the basis on which they made them; the impact of those choices; and their public reception.

My interests and activity in the careers world have exactly the same focus.

My doctoral thesis was titled 'Choice and Reasoning in the West End House c1765-c1785'. I now support choice and reasoning in career redesign at 50+

What does this say about me?

I’m interested in what people do and why they do it, and I like a niche 😄

Plus ça change