My friend Fred Shirley is currently finishing up a master’s in physics. I think he would tell you all his teachers at the uni level have been academically rigorous. But that kind of goes with his speciality. Partical physics and quantum field theory are rigorous by definition.

But I think he could also observe that the teachers he’s learned the most from over the last years have been the ones with a passion for their subjects and genuine engagement with students.

What do you think, Fred? You’re at the end of your University road for now (chicken! Lol). Do you agree with James’s observations?