Pursuing a PhD is a tough journey. I often find myself overwhelmed thinking about all the tasks and writing that still lie ahead. I must admit, it is quite hard, as a PhD student, to be kind to yourself, take a step back, and appreciate the progress made. However, I was fortunate enough to have one of these rare moments of appreciation while sitting in front of the Sydney Opera House last December.
I had just lived one of the most intellectually stimulating and intense weeks of my career at the AARE 2024 Conference at Macquarie University, where I got to present some of the initial findings of my study, part of Project PARTICIPATE. It was my first experience sharing my research at such a highly participated international conference. To do so on the other side of the world was an honor and such a milestone in my academic journey.
Having Big Dreams While Living on a Budget
My road to the AARE 2024 Conference began in June 2024, when I submitted my abstract titled “Once Upon a Time… The Generation Swipe: The Impact of Algorithm-Governed Social Media on Youth Socialization, Online Bullying, and School Education.”
The acceptance email arrived in August, and I immediately started searching for funding opportunities to support my trip. Applying for grants and reaching out to the right foundations or university departments is not an easy task, and it can indeed drain your energies. However, the process was for me an opportunity to refine my motivations, articulate the value of my research, and establish myself as a researcher.
I eventually obtained funding, and before I knew it, at the end of November, I found myself embarking on a 24-hour journey from Dublin to Sydney.
Lessons from the AARE 2024 Conference and Beyond
At the AARE 2024 Conference, I learned about the importance of educational research as a space for critical inquiry and transformative change. It was inspiring to engage in conversations around post-structuralist and post-humanist theories and methodologies to challenge traditional ways of thinking about education, identity, and technology. I appreciated the space taken from indigenous knowledge and decolonial research, and their call to embrace more inclusive ways of understanding and conducting research.
Beyond the AARE 2024 Conference, I had the opportunity to meet one of the most influential scholars in my research, Prof. Bronwyn Davies. In a small arbor in Kings Cross, we talked for hours about her work, how it inspired me, and how it profoundly shaped my thinking. I shared insights from my study, we exchanged ideas, laughed, and walked around, appreciating what remained of the jacaranda tree flowering. That morning was so precious for both my work and myself, and it renewed my motivation, allowing me to engage with my project with a different energy.
Dear Sydney, Thank You
I cried a little bit that afternoon, as I sat in front of the Opera House, gazing at the Harbour Bridge, thinking about how far I had come—both literally and metaphorically. A year ago, when I started my PhD, I never would have imagined traveling across the world to present my research at the AARE 2024 Conference. The experience made me think about perseverance, ambition, the efforts, and the small achievements, but also about the importance of staying motivated and finding your community.
As an early career researcher, meeting well-established academics and a welcoming community of researchers was both intimidating and inspiring. Connecting with scholars whose work has profoundly influenced my own, engaging in discussions, exchanging ideas, and receiving feedback encouraged me to look at my study from new angles.
The AARE 2024 Conference and the study visit, along with the rollercoaster of emotions—probably amplified by the jet lag—all contributed to shaping an invaluable experience that I will forever cherish.
by Giorgia Scuderi
