Rhiannon Mackie, Psychology, University of Lancashire, (2024 Cohort)

In October, I was fortunate to spend three weeks in China as part of my PhD studies. The trip was organised with the help of my supervisors and colleagues at Tianjin Normal University (TNU). It offered a unique opportunity to work in a different research environment and to attend and present at the China International Conference on Eye Movements (CICEM) — the largest conference I have attended so far. Funding from the NWSSDTP was crucial in securing my visa and making this incredible experience possible.

During my visit, I was based at TNU, where I toured their labs, learned about research practices in China, and worked with both students and staff to discuss our projects. I was very well looked after by the people at TNU; each day, two students accompanied me, showing me around, introducing me to local food, and helping me navigate daily life. I also had the chance to rehearse my conference presentation for members of the psychology department and receive valuable feedback. In return, I attended student poster presentations, which gave me insight into similar research being conducted in China and allowed me to make meaningful connections that could lead to future collaborations.

Midway through my visit, I attended the CICEM. I was quite nervous about presenting, as my only previous experience had been at my university’s Postgraduate Conference — so this felt like a big step up! However, everyone was welcoming, and I made sure to practise my talk thoroughly, incorporating feedback from my supervisors and colleagues at TNU. I gave a 15-minute presentation on the first two experiments of my PhD. Although I was anxious about the Q&A, I found that trusting my knowledge of the topic helped me respond confidently. The questions went much better than expected, and I received great feedback on my talk. The conference was fascinating and provided valuable networking opportunities with researchers I hope to collaborate with in the future. Overall, the experience has given me much more confidence in presenting my work.

Of course, I couldn’t leave China without exploring. After the conference, the organisers arranged a trip to the Longmen Grottoes, home to over 100,000 stone carvings of Buddha figures and inscriptions, complete with an English tour guide. The students at TNU also took me to many places around Tianjin, including the Tianjin Eye (similar to the London Eye), museums, parks, art galleries, and more. I even took two trips to Beijing, where I visited the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. These experiences were unforgettable and gave me a deeper appreciation of the cultural differences between the UK and China.

I would encourage anyone who has the chance to undertake a research visit or present at an international conference — even if it feels daunting — to go for it. I travelled to China alone, which was intimidating at first, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my PhD so far, and I would love to do it again.