Testimonials

Introduction

Getting referee reports, responses to applications, and teaching feedback can be somewhat anxiety-inducing, especially as a PhD student, postdoc, or young academic, when one still has to prove oneself. One of the main lessons to learn during this career stage appears to be perseverance — or maybe it is stubbornness?

Over the past years, I have encountered a number of funny, strange, contradictory, or otherwise unusual comments. But rather than airing grievances, below I have collected those precious gems that made me laugh. Maybe not when I received them, but certainly now. I hope you will find them entertaining¹!

Student Feedback

– “Can’t stress how satisfying it was seeing ST clean the board”
Uppsala University, 2025

– "[He] was rather fuzzy."
University of Vienna, 2022

– “The instructor was always very clear in his explanations. He [is] very enthusiastic to teach every morning despite the 8:30 class and this ensured that the students were also attentive and engaged. The instructor also made sure to answer any and all questions during the lecture as well as outside. Overall, great professor.”
– “handwriting was hard to hear”
University of Waterloo, 2017

– “MIND. BLOWN.”
– “Absolutely fantastic insight into a world I never realised exists!”
– “He walked around too much.”
University of St Andrews, 2016

Referee Reports

Papers

“At a first reading, the article gives the impression of being serious”

“page 30, half way down: Tooo many o’s”

My sincere apologies to this thorough referee:

“In [..] the last equality should actually be an inequality. This makes no difference in the argument but I wasted some time in trying to show the equality!”

Getting rejections after quick opinions is common, of course. When the reports say that the article is “remarkably well written” but maybe not quite at the level of the journal in question, it can hurt. Not sure it was the intention of the editor, but the rather hasty reply (and its contrast to the referee report) did alleviate the situation and cause some amusement:

Dear [author],
I as sorruy to inform you that the aper you submitted to [journal] with [co-authors] untitled
[article title]
has not been accepted for publication. I join you the referee’s report.

Grant Reports

The two parts were clearly not read at the same time:

Criterion 1 (weaknesses): The researcher is already a mature and independent scientist and it is not clearly articulated how the fellowship can help the researcher to further their career.
Criterion 2 (strengths): The proposal clearly explains how the fellowship will enhance the future career prospects of the researcher.

Job applications

A response to a postdoctoral application (2016). I guess I did not get the job?

From: East Frisian Porcelain Doll Exchange Programme <[email protected]> ²
Subject: Postdoctoral Applications
Dear Applicant,
There were a large number of highly qualified applicants for this position, which presented the Selection Committee with difficult choices.
Best wishes,
[..]