Colleagues,

With apologies for cross-posting (Restitution Discussion Group-Obligations Discussion Group):

These are strange and difficult times; much more difficult for those who are ill, and for all of those looking after them, and those who are bereaved.

In recent days, academic events have been cancelled that we were all looking forward to. This is not only understandable but obviously necessary. For those, like me, who find that conferences and seminars are an important part of academic life, providing energy and ideas and feedback and focus, it is difficult to imagine many weeks without them.

I have been getting the hang of zoom, which is reasonably functional for seminars, and I would like to propose hosting an irregular series of work in progress seminars over the coming weeks. I say ‘irregular’ partly because I imagine, if necessary, having them at different times to accommodate the world’s time zones.

I would be very glad to have reactions from colleagues as to whether they would be interested in presenting and/or participating in this context. I realize that not everyone has a zoom account, but I believe a free account would allow you to join in (in Canada and the US, many universities have purchased institutional zoom accounts).

Please reply, on or off list as you see fit, so that I can get a sense of whether it makes sense for me to get started on this. Obviously I will need both presenters and audiences, but the former is perhaps more essential.

I think it would be fun, although I will say at the outset that the first one I host will probably be laden with glitches of one kind and another!

As we say in Quebec, ça va bien aller..all will be well.

Lionel