Conferencing

So the last month has been very hectic. There have been two big international colour conferences back to back in separate weeks. This was my first experience of such a busy conferencing schedule and was intense and very tiring.

The first conference was here in Newcastle at the Sage. Whilst I personally was not presenting anything, the lab I am apart of was heavily involved with all giving them talks and/or poster presentations. Since I was not presenting anything, I managed to get into the conference for free by standing by the University stand during the free periods. The sessions were highly varied with topics including from Art History, Architecture, Cognition, Fashion and Image Processing. Whilst my time was limited because of having to prepare my poster for the second conference. I tried to make it to as many sessions as I was able too. Working on the stand I was able to meet a few new people and talk with them about what they do, which was really interesting. Before I I knew it, the end of the week had arrived and the conference was over. Everyone who presented had done well and received good feedback. A successful AIC all round for all involved.                    
                                                 
Immediately preparation began on getting ready for ICVS the following week. I travelled down on the Sunday after having only printed my poster on Saturday afternoon (Majorly stressful). All of the talks and posters were very good. I liked that there was no overlap in the sessions, so I wouldn't have to choose between equally interesting sessions or talks. I also met some new people (both established and fellow PhD students). My poster was well received and I was surprised by the amount of people who were interested in it (as well as their level). I was surprised by this given that I was the only person who seems to be doing Colour perception in children and adolescent. Sometimes I feel that is a double edged sword, whereby no one else is really doing what you are doing but you have to make a lot of headway yourself. The social excursions were great and it was also good to speak with some of the other delegates and not only talk about colour research. One other thing that was nice was the increased social atmosphere at the conference. I found this to be a fantastic way to speak with the other delegates who were there (some of whom I have only read about). Sometimes I can forget that they are human too.
                                            
This was an experience that gave me great confidence, not only in the topic of my own work but my ability to disseminate it. Next is to give an external talk at these meetings. Bring on EACD this September!