Hi all,
AERA begins tomorrow, the largest educational research conference in the country. I think this will be my 18th time going and I so look forward to it; it's like a giant family reunion. Some thoughts for folks who might be new to the conference, or grad students presenting for the first time:
1. This event is huge, busy, and often intimidating. Every author of every ed book you've read and admired is floating around. No worries. You belong there. Every person in the convention center was exactly where you are at some point, walking around not sure where their session room is and wondering if this was the right outfit to wear.
2. For junior faculty who have recently graduated, TAKE UP SPACE. There are times you feel very, very small and like you are out of your depth. The vast majority of people in the room care about young folks coming up and want you to do well. If you are presenting for the first time, I can pretty much guarantee that you are more prepared than the more seasoned scholars. Good discussants and Chairs will protect you from goofy questions or posturing. That said, stick to your time limit and you will be a star.
3. Go to a session that you generally wouldn't go to. Some of the best sessions I've attended are ones outside my field, where I see other researchers using theories or techniques in ways I hadn't thought of before.
4. Interfacing with tons of new people, especially post covid, takes a lot of energy. You don't need to attend every session on the calendar. Go take a stroll, sit on a bench, and be thrilled when someone you admire randomly sits down besides you (it happened to me last year).
Happy conference!
Kerri
Marketing Professor, Consultant, Researcher
2moYay! I was JUST about to email asking when the announcement would come. So excited 😊