North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership
Megan Hadfield, Criminology, Social Policy and Social Work, University of Manchester (2023 Cohort)
In September 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Annual EuroCrim Conference in Bucharest. I presented my poster, More Harm than Good: Examining the impact of immigration policy on non-UK nationals experiencing homelessness and exploitation within Greater Manchester, on the Thursday evening. It was a fantastic academic and cultural experience.
I was very nervous, as a first-year PhD student this was my first ever academic conference, and it was in a country I had never been to before. These nerves were intensified when I realised that I was the only one from the group of friends and colleagues I travelled with from the University of Manchester, who was attending the Migration panels and presentations. This meant I was bound to spend a lot of time alone. This could not have been less true. Whilst my friends and I would go to our separate talks and events during the day, we would have many chances to spend time throughout the event sightseeing, having a break in the sun, or attending each other’s talks. More importantly I was pushed out of my comfort zone to make new connections expand my networks and grow in confidence. It took me a bit of warming up, but after a while I was enjoying going to panels and presentations on my own.
My poster session was on the Thursday evening, and I had no idea what to expect. There were so many posters on a wide range of really interesting topics. I would suggest going to the poster session even if you don’t have a poster, just to see what research is taking place! It was a great first conference experience, I was able to refine my skills at answering questions on my research, and most importantly I was able to showcase my research, which is something I felt proud of. That feeling of seeing your work on display and people interested in it and asking questions is wonderful and makes you excited for the next part of your research journey.
This was possible thanks to the NWSSDTP Research Training Support Grant. I was able to use my available conference funding to cover my admission to the conference, flights, and accommodation. So step outside your comfort zone, put your research forward, and have an amazing time!
North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership 
Thank you so much for writing this and for going out of your comfort zone. I really enjoyed reading this and gives me confidence to try as well!
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