Being on my last year of my part-time PhD Studies, and having gone through much especially in the last 3 years in terms of access, study challenges and social connections due to the Covid-19 Lockdowns, meeting with Senior Academics, but most especially fellow PhD students is a very welcome activity. When Dr. Daniel Gooch sent an email out early this year with regards to a CRC PhD Conference, I signed up to attend and take part so I can meet fellow Open University PhD Students and the academics who run the PG Forum, an important resource for fellowship for PhD student-researchers like myself who work towards completing our PhD research through various means online and most of the time, away from the 'physical university' and social contact of other PhD students. I never much appreciated the social contact element. But whenever I can, if I have to time to visit or do my work in a university library (thanks to the SCONUL System), I find that going into a library, finding space to put my laptop down and to sit down, among the many other students who are, like me, become similarly immersed in the material before them, with frowns over certain concepts they're struggling with, or nods punctuated by flurries of handwriting or keyboard typing when they reach a 'eureka' moment - it gives a kind of assurance that I am not alone, a comfort that 'we are all going through this together'. As a sociology student, I have a certain understanding of social connections, because, as theories go, by social interaction, we come together to discuss, to influence, to listen, to communicate and share ideas, experience, opinion and knowledge and in so doing, we create new ways of thinking, we make new meaning. I find that when I attend conferences like that arranged by the CRC, most especially if presenters or speakers are from other fields, other departments and faculties, I encounter new knowledge and ways of thinking and doing. This transdisciplinary 'meeting of minds' is curious and very special, for it enhances my way of thinking and expands my thoughts beyond the boundaries of my own science and the paradigms of thought I usually turn to in making sense of the world. The CRC conference what just that, where I encountered PhD research work related to music, research in Finance, work on AI, on web development and coding, among others. Some work and ongoing research are so incredible to me and so inspiring in the promise that innovation can bring. In return, when I share my work, I also want to do the best I can, to talk about what I hope to bring to the field, in return for the inspiration and fellowship the conference has brought me.
Being a PhD student is a unique challenge. It gets to a point where you have to dig deep to carry on. The CRC conference is a wonderful reminder and prompt that you are not alone in the struggles you face, helping to avoid and overcome that 'impostor syndrome'. Much thanks to Dr. Daniel Gooch and Prof. Marian Petre for organising the event. I will be back for the next one, if ever I am invited once more. Good luck to everyone and all the best in your research. I look forward to hearing how everyone progresses!
P.S. Attached image of 'in-person' PhD Student attendees by Blaine Price. For those attending online, we were holding their names printed out as we do the 'Up Against the Wall' activity. Much love and thank you to my better-half James Jones for all his support in my studies.