This summer has taken me across Europe and Asia—and will soon take me to Australia—for conferences, invited research seminars, and research workshops. Each stop has been different, but they’ve all offered the chance to reconnect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and strengthen research collaborations.
The trip began at the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology Conference in Helsinki, Finland, where I served as a discussant for the symposium, “Sick, but still showing up: Unpacking the contextual conditions of presenteeism at work.” From there, I traveled to Ireland and France to present my research and lead workshops at Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, and IESEG School of Management in Paris. While I always enjoy presenting my work, I found the conversations with faculty members and doctoral students just as valuable. Those discussions often sparked new ideas and, I hope, the beginnings of future collaborations.
I also spent time with research collaborators in Istanbul, Turkey, and Manila, Philippines. Meeting in person helped move projects forward and gave us the chance to explore new research questions together.
The final leg of the trip, from July 14–25, will take me to Australia, where I will serve as a Visiting Fellow at the University of Sydney Business School. During my visit, I’ll present research seminars at the University of Sydney and Deakin Business School in Melbourne and spend time working with faculty members and doctoral students.
Looking back, what stands out most are the conversations and relationships. Research can sometimes feel like a solitary pursuit, but this summer has been a welcome reminder that many of our best ideas emerge through collaboration. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from colleagues around the world and look forward to bringing those insights back to LER. More than anything, I am humbled to return from my travels as the next Dean of the School, and am excited for the start of the fall semester.