 Last week, I had the joy visiting Glasgow, Scotland to attend the 12th International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science (CoLIS), a vibrant gathering that explores a wide spectrum of topics in the field of information science. Much like last year when I attended the Information Seeking in Context Conference (ISIC), I received requests from friends, family, and fellow doctoral students to share what the experience was like—especially through the lens of a doctoral student navigating an international academic conference. So, here's my attempt to capture it all. When I attended ISIC last year in Aalborg, Denmark, it was my first international conference and my first in the field of information science. A lot has changed in just one year: I’ve completed my second year in the doctoral program, written the first draft of my prospectus, begun forming my committee, and spent countless hours navigating both the visible and hidden curriculums of higher education. Traveling internationally for a conference always brings a touch of anxiety. Did I pack everything? Passport (triple-checked). Chargers? Enough clothes? Poster? Bank notified? Check, check, and check..ohhhh, but I am sure I'll forget something. But this year, I did something new: I built a mini-vacation around the conference. I almost never take real vacations, and this one reminded me why I should. If you have not been to Scotland yet, you should know that it is a BEAUTIFUL country with many scenic views, tons of rain, and this time of year the sun rises around 4:30am and sets around 10pm. The Scottish accents took some getting used to, but after just a day, I was able to navigate quite well. Before the conference began, I spent two days in the Scottish Highlands. Shoutout to Alistair, who was knowledgeable, kind, and generous enough to add extra stops along the way. As a lifelong music lover, I was thrilled when he introduced us to some of his favorite Scottish artists. I fell head-over-heels for a Highland cattle (or “hairy coo”), learned about shinty and eating baked beans for breakfast, and visited historic castles. After two days of breathtaking landscapes and hearty (vegetarian) Scottish breakfasts, I took a train to Glasgow, where things were bustling. I asked the hotel staff why it was so busy: “Lionel Richie is in town,” they replied. Well alright, Lionel! The first official day of the conference kicked off with a doctoral workshop. In preparation, we submitted an application, a two-page summary of our research (somehow condensing 30+ pages!), and a three-minute video overview. We also prepared a brief oral summary to present in our small groups. I was placed with three other students from around the world and two mentors whose work I’d long admired: Dr. Alison Hicks and Dr. Laura Saunders. There’s always a question in those moments—do you fangirl and say, “I’ve read and cited your work!” or play it cool? Admittedly, I'm not quite sure if I did either–I think I blacked out from the nerves. Either way, they asked thoughtful questions and offered encouraging, constructive feedback on my research trajectory. At the end of the day, I was surprised to learn I was one of three winners of the doctoral student video competition. I didn’t even know it was a competition. After spending the day learning from so many brilliant, creative doctoral students across the globe (Australia, Croatia, Japan, Sweden, the UK, and the USA) I was deeply honored. Their work stretched the boundaries of our field and left me feeling inspired and energized. That evening, as an introvert who had already spent an entire day engaging with new people, I debated skipping dinner to recharge my social battery. But the organizers were generous enough to host a group meal, and I was so grateful for the opportunity. And I’m THRILLED that I attended. The fear of walking into a room and not knowing where to sit is real, but thankfully, I found familiar faces. I saw my friends from the University at Buffalo and met new friends. The other students at the table from Sweden and the UK welcomed me immediately. They made space—literally and figuratively—and invited me into their conversation without hesitation. We shared stories about our experiences, programs, and our research, and exchanged thoughts about the day’s sessions. We all asked questions. We listened and offered words of encouragement. There was no posturing—just curiosity, generosity, and warmth. That simple act of inclusion turned what could have been a lonely evening into one of the most meaningful moments of the conference. It set the tone for the rest of my time there and reminded me that in academic spaces—so often known for being isolating—it’s possible to find real connection. The next three days were a rich mix of learning and socializing. The walk to the registration desk felt more like a family reunion than a conference as we skipped over to each other and offered big, big hugs. I attended a wide range of sessions: formal lectures, interactive workshops, even a short play (kind of). I met new people, but I also ran into old friends—something I hadn’t anticipated. I hadn’t realized that I was beginning to form a real community in the field (I hesitate to use the word "network," as it can often feel transactional). One friend, Jenna Hartel, was a keynote speaker (see my reflection on Jenna in my ISIC reflection from August 2024), and she did a wonderful job. Others were presenting their dissertations, starting new jobs, or receiving awards. I was enthusiastically greeted by Dr. Ian Ruthven who remembered me from previous conferences and even called me by a nickname. He said to a colleague, "Oh, I was just standing here talking to KB, and..." I missed the rest of that sentence. I got distracted while he was speaking because I couldn't believe that he remembered me. That small moment meant the world. One of the highlights was spending time with fellow students and faculty from my own program. Ours is an online program with students from around the globe. Student balance full-time work, personal responsibilities, and doctoral studies at an R1 institution. We span generations, professions, and life stages. But the thing that binds us together is kindness. This community is one of the friendliest, most collaborative, and respectful I’ve ever encountered. Disagreements happen, but we always treat one another with care. It's a model I wish more academic spaces would follow. Oh, now is a good time to shout out a wonderful scholar and mentor, Dr. Heidi Julien, who will receive the 2025 ASIS&T Award of Merit (which I affectionately started calling her "Human Being of the Year Award"...she laughed and rolled her eyes) and to Jane Bartley and Hassan Mortada who have received New Leader Awards. They're all incredibly humble, so I am happy to amplify their work when they will not do so. They will receive their recognition at the 2025 ASIS&T Annual Meeting, and a big crowd of us will be there to cheer them on! I also presented a poster, which gave me another opportunity to share my work and receive feedback. A scholar I admire, Dr. Rebecca Noone, came over immediately. She remembered me from ISIC and offered incredibly thoughtful insights into my research: "I am so excited to see how your work has progressed from last year to this year. You're making great choices." I hope she didn't see me holding back tiny tears. It was deeply affirming, and I'll carry her feedback with me as I continue shaping my proposal. The conference ended at Òran Mór with a dinner and a ceilidh—a traditional Scottish social dance that left me smiling through tears, literally (see the video below). There we were: hand in hand with friends and strangers, laughing and stumbling through unfamiliar steps, swept up in the music and movement. It was clumsy (in the best possibly way) and joyful, and I'll never forget it. Despite following a mostly vegetarian diet, my friend did allow me to try a spoonful of haggis (yep, I can cross that right off my list!!). After the conference, I took a train ride to Edinburgh for a few days of sightseeing. I hiked Arthur’s Seat, ran in to Serena Williams (yes, THAT Serena Williams), wandered through free museums, tasted Irn-Bru and HP Sauce, and even made a trip to St. Andrews. Typically, after trips, I'm a little tired and ready to head back home, but this time, I didn’t want to leave. I felt so at home and was full—emotionally and intellectually. This experience left me with so much to be grateful for:
Until next time.
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