Superhero Project 3: My first Conference Experience – September 20th – 22nd, 2019. Germany

October 20th, 2019

About a month ago, I went to my first conference. I was deeply nervous for several reasons, 1) it was my first conference, 2) it was in a country I’d never been to before, and 3) I was presenting at said conference.

I’d decided to write about something I deeply care about and spent a fair amount of time trying to pin it down. I’d actually started working on the paper before the conference was announced but hadn’t figured it out until reasonably close to the abstract deadline. I chose to write a paper on Batman and how the reader can use him to help overcome trauma. It was partly a cathartic act to me, but I also wanted to pay tribute to a work that I thought needed more attention. Something Terrible by Dean Trippe. During my research, I came up with this notion that the reader takes on a role similar to that of Robin. That they can learn from Batman the same way Dick Grayson and the other Robins do. The paper involved a lot of research into trauma and childhood development, but ultimately, I was proud with what I wrote. However, in hindsight, I maybe should have stated or given a very good hint that I wasn’t a psychologist. The questions after were rather difficult.

I flew out with my mentor and the conferences founder, Danny Graydon, in order to help set up the conference. I’m really glad that I went early, as it allowed a lot of my anxiety about it to begin to settle before anyone else arrived. I met the other organiser, Torsten Caeners, who was absolutely lovely and got to explore the building we were both staying in and where the conference is being held. I fell in love with Germany here. The way it does embrace it’s history in a way I had never seen in my home country of England.

As the first official day started, I got to meet so many amazing people from so many different countries and backgrounds. Before the conference even started, I was in awe and feeling very intimidated. To my great surprise and against my fears, everyone was so amazingly nice, and really eager to exchange ideas. It was very much the moment I knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

My paper was being presented on the final day, and on the last panel, so when listening to everyone else’s work, I found myself thinking that mine was so much worse in comparison. But I found myself coming up with so many ideas and made notes of things to learn and read. When it did come time to present my paper, I was unbelievably nervous, but to my surprise, it seemed to be very well received. Though I really wish I was better prepared for questions.

I enjoyed my time in Germany and at the Superhero Project so much, that I am already trying to plan my paper for next year. Thank all of you who attended for making my first conference so amazing. Hoping to spend a little longer in Germany next time, but can’t wait to return as a stronger, better read academic!