We work among extraordinary people doing extraordinary things; get to know some of them by reading these quick-fire interviews.
Name: Vlatko Vedral
Job title: Professor of Quantum Information Science
What are you currently working on?
Quantum effects in the macroscopic domain.
Describe a typical day
I get up late, have coffee and check Arxiv. I go for a walk and think about some issues in physics, then have another coffee for lunch, talk to my students, and think about physics some more, including reading papers and books. I do my best to avoid bureaucracy, including grant applications, writing reports, sitting on various committees, reading emails. I cook a simple dinner with my partner, then, if I feel inspired, write a blog (vlatkovedral.com). We sometimes watch a movie and I spend more time thinking about physics till late into the night. If I could make it, I would never want to go to sleep…
If you had an entire day at your disposal (not at work), what would be your ideal way to spend it?
Not all that different to the above! Thinking about physics (this doesn’t change), playing the guitar and chess, reading about biology, philosophy, history and economics and spending time with my partner and my children.
What is your favourite place in Oxford?
The Oxford Boathouse (a great place to do physics while drinking coffee/beer/champagne in beautiful surroundings), followed by the Farmoor reservoir.
Plan B: what would you be if you weren’t doing the job you are currently doing?
A rock star.
What discovery would you like to see in your lifetime?
Time travel.