If you struggle to classify this post because it sounds like a tourist review, yet it’s supposed to be about academics and conferences this is the reason. The real flex in academia lies in the all expenses paid travel and the exciting experiences as we encounter new places and learn new things each time. I will try and give you your money’s worth if academic stuff is what really pulled you to this post.
This one is a thread that continues the previous post on the journey to become an academic. It’s not the PhD title that makes one an academic, but the process and ultimately the contribution to scholarship and no one is going to tell me it’s easy. The amount of perseverance required is just insane. I only take solace in the fact that I love learning. My alone time with books is sacred and anything that involves reading more is always welcome. This post is a glimpse of the rocky terrain we endure as well the glamorous side.
I have always wanted to explore the role of images in 21st century patterns and practices of communication. Images are shared everywhere. Do we read them effectively? Are they helpful? What determines whether the image will be interpreted and understood accurately or not? This is generally what semiotics or digital semiotics is about. The first time I sent an abstract for a semiotics conference was in 2019 and my abstract was accepted. The conference was scheduled for March 2020 in Portugal. And then the odds happened! I got diagnosed with gall stones on Christmas eve of 2019 and was booked for surgery in January 2020. While I was pondering whether it would be wise to travel a few weeks post-surgery, COVID happened. The odds were not against me. No! But I had to drop the topic all together because the COVID disruption took longer than anybody had budgeted for.
In 2024 I received the call for abstracts for another semiotics conference! This was four years after the last semiotics project I had worked on. I tried to resuscitate the topic, but it was just plain depressing. I revisited the draft article of a paper I presented in 2023 and had to adapt it to suit the theme/s in the new call for abstracts. Walla! I made it.
Conferences are the Rod Lava Arena for scholars and the apprentice training track for PhD students. At the time of applying for the semiotics conference I was grappling with analysing data for my PhD thesis. I also had it as one of my goals, to publish at least one article before I completed the PhD. So, I was really looking to learn a lot from this conference, which for me is the pull factor for conferences. It’s not what I am going to share but what I am going to learn from other presenters. I was particularly interested in how to integrate theories in data analysis, presentation and discussion. The first plenary session was enough. Wait ! The last presentation of the day was the gem! People do really interesting brilliant stuff out there. I lost some opportunity to learn from other topics that I had identified as interesting because I had to prepare slides for my presentation during the day. Let me not blow my own horn by mentioning that I received great feedback.
And then there is the networking aspect facilitated by conferencing. We connect with other professionals, identify one or two communities of practice to follow or join. The thing about researching in a field like media and communication is the pace at which things happen. So, I figured really quickly that I had to be on my toes throughout my PhD just so I don’t bring outdated material to the VIVA or even in my report. Think about the major shifts between 2022 and 2024, Twitter becoming X, sending many professionals to Mastodon. Generative AI taking all disciplines by storm. We are still trying to comprehend its real merits and downside. Many of us are very scared, only time will tell if this is necessary or not. And then everyone thinks TikTok is the real deal, and is giving YouTube a tough time. I am interested in your thoughts on this one. Oh! and then scholars made some strides after challenging traditional conventions and notions of what constitutes academic work by advocating for recognition of podcasts as scholarly output. Of course, the podcasts must undergo certain review criteria to pass as academic publications. It’s a long, interesting story. Check out the Podcast or Perish website for insights. There is also a book which was published by Bloomsbury Publishers in January 2024 titled ‘Podcast or Perish’. I guess you can see where I am going with this conference thing and why it matters. Now we can talk about other exciting things, still to do with conferences.
Of exotic places, cultures and cuisines
The one big bonus of travelling is in seeing exotic places exploring new cultures and cuisines. So, first things first, I will talk about the food. I am not going to lie and deny that food is one of the highlights at conferences. Have you seen one of those memes which ridicule PhD students, insinuating that we attend conferences specifically for free food? Well, there is some truth to that. I realised that food is so cheap in Seoul (maybe relatively speaking) because of currency dynamics. But still, when I enquired on the abundance of food during the conference and in events afterwards, I was told in Korean culture, food is literally the source of life. A tale of how millions had died from starvation in at least three episodes of famine in Korea left me bewildered. It also explained the symbolic and significance of food as an integral part of exchange during Korean greetings. Besides the universal how are you, the Koreans include as part of their exchange the questions: Did you have a good meal? Did you eat?
Well, I binge ate throughout my stay. The staple kimchi, fried sea food and tried the traditional beer. I am yet to discover a place with such a wide array of delicacies, from pastry to, fruit to chocolate and everything in between.
I have to share this one pleasant surprise. I did not expect the city to be so spacious and not crowding people in. The architecture and landscapes were indeed spellbinding. The highlight of my experience was a day trip to NAMI island. From the ferry ride to the nature walks, it was nothing short of magical. There are more places I need to visit, as per the recommendations by AI. I did a quick ChatGPT search prior to my trip and NAMI Island and Insa-Dong Art Street were among the top 5. So, it’s two ticks off the bucket list. I am definitely going back to Seoul. There is so much I could say about this place and its warm people, and the technology. Such a futuristic city.
Happy reading! Do share your conference and travel highlights to plug us for prospective destinations.
Edusphere-By-Bassie 
Insightful insights…
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