For today’s post, I will discuss my experience of presenting a paper at a conference for the first time at the Irish History Student’s Association Annual Conference at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
During the 1950s, the IHSA conference was established in the 1950s by representatives from Irish universities. I was delighted when my abstract on ‘Public health nurses and the expansion of maternal and infant provision, 1922-1960’ was accepted by the organisers of the IHSA. They consistently sent out emails regarding the programme, direction to the campus and other important information leading up to the conference. The conference was held on the 1st – 3rd March 2019 at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. I was chosen to present on the 14th panel on ‘20th Century health and body histories’ at 3:30pm on 2nd March alongside two other speakers.
I felt enthusiastic and a tad nervous to present a paper for the first time at a history conference. My only experience with public speaking had included classroom presentations in front of fellow students and friends as well as a year’s experience of debating during my time at secondary school. However, I constantly reminded myself that I was overly familiar with my research and that I had rehearsed my presentation at least five times at home. I was also looking forward to meeting other researchers with similar interests in maternal and child welfare in Ireland. I was especially excited to meet the chair of my panel, Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, whom had undertaken research on the NSPCC and child welfare in the Irish Free State during the twentieth century.
However, due to the fact that I was travelling from Cork to Limerick I was unable to attend the Keynote address by Professor Jane Ohlmeyer (UCD) on Friday, 1st March. The organisers of the conference were very welcoming and kind as were all the other speakers I met on the day. They offered me advice on public speaking and gave me directions to the room I was presenting in. I felt relaxed and at ease while I presented my paper and was asked numerous questions at the end of my panel. I also had the opportunity to meet Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley whom was very friendly and interested in all the speakers’ papers.
Overall, it was an incredibly positive experience as I made new friends and researchers with similar interests to myself. The IHSA’s conference offers a great opportunity in a supportive and friendly environment for anyone interested in presenting for the first time. ffffff
HealthHistoryIreland 