EPOC Conference venue at night; ARCOM attendees at Lincoln’s Inn (photo courtesy of ARCOM Conference).
Assisted by The Doctoral College’s Conference Support Award (now the Research and Innovation Conference Fund), I presented at two conferences last year: EPOC (Engineering Projects Organization Conference) in Maine, USA, and ARCOM (Association of Researchers in Construction Management) in London, UK. Both events supported my PhD research by challenging me to communicate my ideas more effectively to new audiences, offering networking opportunities with leading experts in the field, and providing feedback that is helping me refine my thesis writing.
At EPOC, I presented a paper titled ‘The Safety Dance – Challenging BIM Conformity’, co-written with construction research experts Fred Sherratt and my PhD supervisor, Andy Dainty. The paper drew on my ethnographic PhD fieldwork, using an atmospheres framework to critique the pervading techno-optimism in construction site safety practice. Following the presentation, I then took part in a lively Q&A panel session. This provided a great opportunity to highlight and explain the value of my own deeply qualitative research on construction site atmospheres within a predominantly technical and solutions-focussed context.
Presenting to EPOC attendees (photo courtesy of EPOC Conference)
I also enjoyed watching presentations on a wide variety of topics in the field of construction and engineering projects, ranging from DEI to joint value creation, steel re-use, infrastructure justice, and more.
Two factors especially contributed to a really enjoyable conference experience: first, its stunning oceanfront location in Bar Harbor, Maine, and second, EPOC’s unique format where presentations run from an early breakfast until lunchtime, after which attendees are encouraged to socialise and continue intellectual discussion for the rest of the day. This gave me plenty of time to follow up on others’ presentations, questions and conversations from break times, whilst also providing the opportunity to learn more about academia in different international contexts.
As part of the conference organisations, we were also treated to plenty of local lobster and blueberry-based dishes, and a coastal boat tour where we spotted harbor seals and bald eagles.
Bar Harbour boat trip and local lobster dinner
Later in the year, I presented a paper at the ARCOM conference in London, titled ‘Challenging The BIM Orthodoxy: Digitalisation Disjunctions’ co-written with my PhD supervisors, Andy Dainty and Ulysses Sengupta. This paper argued for a more critical approach to the ways that BIM (Building Information Modelling) practice is enacted and encountered by different groups within the construction process, where a fervour for digital technology continually masks its more unexpected and undesirable implications.
Attending ARCOM for the second time, I not only enjoyed the usual benefits of conferences -meeting interesting people for the first time, building community, exploring potential collaborations, receiving feedback on my research- but I was also able to reconnect with familiar faces, and catch up with research activities and PhD projects that I’d first encountered a year earlier.
Catching up with PhD friends at ARCOM
Another highlight included a fun group walk, where several dozen of us made our way through the busy streets of central London at peak time to the conference dinner, held at the iconic Great Hall at Lincoln’s Inn. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the conference, several past chairs, including my PhD supervisor Andy Dainty, were invited to share their experiences and reflections on ARCOM.
Past ARCOM chairs make speeches (photo courtesy of ARCOM Conference)
I would strongly encourage any new PhD researchers who may be hesitant about attending their first conference to take the leap. And if possible, I would also recommend attending an international conference for the invaluable experience it can provide. Though attending and presenting at conferences can be nerve-wracking and extremely tiring, the rewards are well worth the effort. Through participating in two conferences this year, I have built confidence in my research, made new connections for potential collaborations, laid the groundwork for published work, and expanded my network of supportive and inspiring academics. Thanks to the Doctoral College and my supervisors, Andy Dainty and Ulysses Sengupta, for supporting these fantastic experiences.
