Nexus

The Impact of Opportunity: Reflections of a TASA 2024 Bursary Recipient by Eyram Ivy Sedzro

The recently concluded TASA (The Australian Sociological Association) Conference 2024 offered both a welcoming and intellectually stimulating atmosphere for engagement between emerging researchers and experienced scholars. The conference allowed for contemporary sociological discourses, academic and industry networking, and presentation on critical issues. Given that it was my first experience at such an event, there was a great deal to anticipate, and the organisers along with the participants certainly met those expectations. This year's conference, centred around the theme " Living Now: Social Worlds, Political Landscapes," convened scholars, practitioners, and students to explore the complex issues shaping society.

The keynotes delivered by Professor Shakuntala Banaji, Claire G. Coleman, and Dr. Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes were some of the most notable aspects of the conference for me. These keynotes underscored pressing social issues, including topics on the connection between social media and political violence, challenging the prevailing narratives through Afro-Indigenous perspectives, and exploring the influence of speculative fiction on sensitive social issues. Attending the panel sessions also presented a unique opportunity to gain new insights and diverse perspective within my field. Thus, the panel-based sessions and general sessions delved into pertinent global issues including climate change, social justice, inequality, migration, and the emerging effects of AI on social structures. A recurring theme across many panels was both the covert and overt impact of social media in shaping different realities for different social actors. I also had the opportunity to attend sessions centred on migration and transnationalism, which closely aligned to my research on Ghanaian female migrants to the Gulf. My paper, titled "Weighing the Risk: Risk Perception of Ghanaian Female Migrants to the Gulf States," garnered positive feedback. The audience displayed a strong engagement with the biographical risk methodologies I utilised and the accounts of potential, current, and returnee migrants that I presented. The questions and feedback that I received were insightful and have provided me with fresh perspectives to enhance my analysis, particularly concerning the influence of policy narratives versus lived experiences of migrant women in shaping migratory trajectories and decisions.

In addition to the presentations, the conference provided an amazing opportunity for networking. I  connected with academics whose research aligned with mine, specifically those exploring gendered migration and sociological perspectives on risk. Participating in TASA's Conference was an enriching experience that enhanced my understanding of contemporary sociological discussions and expanded my academic network. The insights and connections acquired will certainly enhance my research and career path. I appreciate the chance to engage with and gain insights from vibrant community of sociologists. Overall, I am deeply grateful to TASA's Bursary Committee for providing me with funding to attend this year’s conference which will significantly impact my academic journey.