CROW Undergrads’ First Time Eating Oysters (and Presenting)

And just like that, January is now upon us. But before we hang our hats and bid farewell to 2024, let’s take a look at where a few CROW researchers gathered this past October. Sarah Buwick and Naomi Islas, alongside Dr. Bradley Dilger, took to the skies and arrived in Arlington, Virginia to attend the annual SIGDOC conference. George Mason University hosted the event which featured an airy campus with a courtyard of magazine stations and ping pong tables, setting the stage for what was to come. SIGDOC, the Special Interest Group Design of Communication, heavily leans on collaboration and communication to see where words can take us.

Communication is not only foundational to how we work together, but also in how we see each other. SIGDOC provides a safe atmosphere to exchange questions, ideas, and research. It’s important for every presenter to feel seen. For Buwick and Islas, their first presentation experience began with a poster session. Their hard work and patience was over, the moment they had waited for was here. They said it didn’t feel entirely real, but as time ticked on they really found their rhythm.

After months of working together, they recognized patterns in the way the other would write or speak. Knowing each other’s voice and the subtleties of their styles aided them during their SIGDOC presentation. If one faltered, the other was able to keep the pacing alive. Through their research, they were able to find their collective voice.

Their shared experience of presenting was incredibly rewarding, as it’s always a privilege to share findings with those who harbor the same passions. For Buwick and Islas, SIGDOC encouraged them to ask questions and seek out advice, to talk to people that they otherwise wouldn’t be meeting, and to learn from their peers and other intellectuals. To see the ebbs & flows of others’ relationships and how they work together. It’s about presenting ideas, of course, but it’s also an opportunity to learn from different angles and to soak up new ways to improve both personally and professionally.

The knowledge Buwick and Islas gleaned from others is one of the most valuable things they took from the conference. The close second, and arguably the real star of the show, was the food at nearby restaurants. Whether it was tangy BBQ, creamy crab dip, or fresh, salty oysters, the conversations shared over a hardy plate reminds us of all the ways we connect, build relationships, and carry the threads of collaboration in our day-to-day lives.