Nexus

2024 TASA Career Development Grant – Yang Zhao

Thanks to the support of TASA’s Career Development Grant, I was able to attend TASA 2024 in Perth, Western Australia. The grant covered my international travel from London, which would have been difficult to manage without external funding due to the limited resources available through my current postdoctoral position. Attending in person was a valuable opportunity to connect with scholars in Australia and further my engagement with the sociology community there.

During the conference, I volunteered throughout the event, assisting with registration and session logistics, and supporting delegates as needed. This allowed me to contribute to the smooth running of the conference while meeting and connecting with a wide range of participants. Being involved in this way deepened my sense of connection to TASA’s community.

I also attended a number of sessions focused on gender and sexuality, which aligned closely with my own research interests. These panels were intellectually engaging and offered fresh perspectives on current debates in the field. They also helped me reflect on how my work fits within broader sociological discussions, and provided inspiration for new lines of inquiry.

One of the highlights of the conference was meeting in person with my mentor, assigned through TASA’s mentoring programme. Our conversation was thoughtful and encouraging, offering practical guidance on career planning, publishing and developing research ideas. It was particularly helpful to speak face-to-face, and I found the exchange to be one of the most valuable aspects of my time at the conference.

The conference also provided an excellent environment for building new professional relationships and reconnecting with colleagues. I had many fruitful conversations that opened up possibilities for future collaboration, including joint writing projects and potential funding applications. I also gained insights into the Australian academic context, which will inform my ongoing work and support my preparation for a DECRA application.

Attending TASA 2024 has had a lasting impact on my professional development. It helped me strengthen ties with the Australian sociology network, contribute actively to the community, and explore new directions for my research. I am grateful to TASA for making this possible and look forward to continuing to be involved in future events and activities.