ABSTRACT
My [Gayle’s] relationship with higher education has always involved travel. When I began my undergraduate degree in Sociology my journey to college involved a 30 minute walk and an hour and a half train journey each way with a train change at Crewe. On beginning my PhD at the same institution I moved closer and for the next four years lived only a 30–60 minute walk/short car journey away. Next came my first full time job, 90 miles away, so once again my journey involved a 90 minute train journey plus a private car or taxi ride at one end and a 20 minute walk at the other. In my current position at the University of Plymouth both the campus and my home are within the city centre and it is bliss to be able to walk to work: 12/15 minutes if I hurry; 20/25 if I dawdle.
