Page 21 - Community Living Magazine 31 - 1

WORK
“The good, the bad and the ugly –

my experience of conference work”

Getting a job might seem to be the hardest part – but once in employment,
new and difficult challenges arise. Vicky Green describes the very public role
she had to take on, including presenting at conferences, when she became a
research associate in an inclusive history project.

etween 2014 and 2017 I worked as a WHAT HAS HELPED ME events’. These are a type of workshop
B Research Associate at the Open AT CONFERENCES where everyone can be involved.
University as part of the Inclusive Archive I noticed I started to feel more confident They are very inclusive and we used lots
of Learning Disability History project. (1) attending and presenting at conferences of different methods to make them
On the project I worked in a big team, as the project went on. When I was talking accessible and fun. Such events helped
which included two other researchers to my colleague about this, we wrote me practise my presentation skills and
who do not have learning disabilities, down a few things that seemed to make build up my confidence and experience
Sue Ledger and Nigel Ingham. I also got a difference. A big thing was preparation. with peopleI know. Sometimes these
support from my PA, Row Richards. Being involved in co-writing the slides, events were hard and made me feel like I
especially the ones I would be reading, did at the beginning.
When I applied for the job I was told that definitely helped. Also, I realised I needed
attending and presenting at conferences to practise a lot. I did this in the office THE GOOD
was a big part of the role. At the time I and at home. I did lots of reading through At the end of the project I would say that
wondered: why do I need to go to the slides and making changes until I was the good things about conferences are:
conferences? This article tells the story of happy with the words. I did this with my they give you a chance to tell people
my conference experience on the project PA and one of the other researchers. about your work; they help you meet new
– the good, the bad and the ugly. people (whether they’ve got a learning
Having a PA was a massive help – disability or not); and you get to hear
CHALLENGES OF GOING she helped to explain things I didn’t about other exciting projects.
TO CONFERENCES understand. Row supported me to write
I went to a lot of conferences during the the slides, get my ideas down and practise THE BAD...
project. At the start I found it really hard. them. I also found that having my PA The bad things are that conferences can
Sometimes I thought if I’m not following with me helped when I was going to be really tiring, especially when they are
the presentations and I’m fidgeting and new places. I didn’t feel so nervous. over two days or more. Also, there is a lot
not understanding, is there any point me Also, Row took notes which meant I could of work involved to prepare properly and
being here? But I thought I might regret it concentrate on listening. Things also sometimes you need to make last minute
if I didn’t go, and I might miss something got easier as I got to know the other edits, which is frustrating.
interesting, even if it’s not very accessible. researchers on the project. This helped
Also, it’s part of the job, and I couldn’t just me relax and meant I didn’t feel as lonely ... AND THE UGLY
present my bit and then leave. I think it’s and unsure as I did at the first conference The ugly bits are that conferences could
important that I get a chance to present I attended. be a bit confusing, or even boring.
at that type of conference where some of They can leave you feeling unsure –
the presentations are more academic or The final thing that helped was just going especially when you can’t understand
complicated. Staying over in new places to lots of conferences! The more I did, everything and can’t take it all in. A big
was very hard for me at the beginning of the less worried I felt. Also, I was involved help for me in that situation was building
the project, but I found this got better. in organising and presenting at ‘sandpit in lots of breaks and having some time
out. Although conferences can be tough,
I do like taking part in them
Vicky found presenting at now. It’s important that people with
conferences hard at first but learning disabilities get a chance to
gained in confidence with the join in. Why should someone like me,
help of her PA Row. with a mild learning disability, not be
able to present at conferences,
like anyone else?

REFERENCE
(1) The Inclusive Archive of Learning
Disability History Project was funded by
the Arts and Humanities Research
Council, 2014-2017
www.inclusivearchive.org
www.inclusivearchiveproject.org

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 1 | Autumn 2017 19