Over the summer holidays, we were delighted to host two Cardiff University undergraduate students as part of our WISERD hub team. As administrative assistants, Genevieve Gunn and Afon Hoare helped us to deliver our WISERD Annual Conference 2024. We asked the students to write about their experience…
Genevieve Gunn
“As a final year International Relations and Politics student with an interest in research, I was eager to get involved with WISERD and experience what working life is like in academia. Getting involved with the WISERD Annual Conference 2024 has been an incredibly insightful experience. Not only has it provided me with the opportunity to learn about the current challenges facing civil society – but it has also given me the chance to network and engage with the work of social science researchers, from a plethora of different professional backgrounds.
“In the lead up to this event I worked alongside my colleagues to make and refine the conference’s abstract booklet, which gave a brief summary of the presentations in each parallel session. I also took on responsibility for the creation of ‘Welcome Slides’ on PowerPoint, which were then used in the conference’s welcome address. These tasks allowed me to explore the more creative side that goes into events planning, an outlet that I did not anticipate (but was pleasantly surprised to be) getting so heavily involved in considering the administrative nature of my role.
“When it came to the conference itself, I provided additional support during the registration period, as well as acting as technical aid during the six parallel sessions. This gave me an opportunity to sit in on some amazing presentations, which spanned topics from environmental activism to contemporary Welsh identity.
“Overall, I am massively appreciative of the opportunity the WISERD Annual Conference 2024 gave me in terms of my academic and professional development. Not only did it give me the chance to learn about the latest social sciences research, but it demonstrated to me the variety of different career pathways that I can take within the research field. As such, I would definitely encourage those who have not previously had the opportunity to attend a WISERD Annual Conference to go to any other events that this institution organises.”
Afon Hoare
“I am currently an undergraduate psychology student about to enter my final year. As part of my WISERD Administrative placement, I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2024 Annual Conference at the USW Treforest Campus. Having worked alongside others on the planning and preparation of this event, I was anticipating the work I would be doing – yet being able to attend the event and see the conference in full was a unique and incredible experience.
“Much of my work in the build-up to the conference had been on creating and proof-reading documents to be sent to delegates in advance and creating schedules and signage for the conference itself. My primary role was that of social media and communications. During the conference, I was active on social media such as LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) and took photos of presenters’ sessions for use across these platforms.
“This role allowed me to listen to and engage in several of the presentations given during the parallel sessions. While still working, I was given the chance to meet with academics in fields that interest me. It was a wonderful opportunity to not only see how conferences and events like this work from several perspectives, but subsequently provided networking opportunities – something I value highly as a young academic.
“Throughout the conference, I was supported fully by everyone involved and encouraged to continue with my studies. The experience I gained and advice I was given will continue to benefit me across my future endeavours.”
We are so grateful for all their help and wish them well with their continuing studies and future careers.