Visiting Migration Research Conference in Malmö, Sweden made me think once again, how priviledged life I live. In working life, I'm very happy tbeing able to travel abroad quite frequently. This helps me both professionally and personally: I'm learning something new every time entering a new culture. Actually, during this particular trip to Malmö, I have realised I actually understand more Swedish language I though I would.
Being a conference attendee is a bit more demanding than being a tourist. Benefits are that you get to the inside circle of local professionals immediately and get also to meet if not colleagues, professionals of other fields, who might at first seem to stand a bit higher than yourself, what comes to the knowledge and expertise.
But one shouldn't leave it there and just have a glimse on the surface. When you stop and think, what did this person just say, or how this event has been built, you might realise that the "professional" was talking nonsense or the seminar programme is insane, and you could do it better.
People come to events and trust certain professionals to be the best key note speakers due to their status in the field of study. We are the audience wanting to hear the words of wisdom from the guru.
Don't get me wrong, most key note speakers I've heard have been excellent. The actual problem lies in workshop-type of activities and presenting of PhD projects and papers. It took me about 3 years and now I have finally understood it: if you're uncertain of yourself, you'll never make it in the Big World. And if you're not good at expressing yourself, the game is lost immediately.
Academics all around the globe have similar research questions and they work with small portions of knowledge at a time. The studies of dozens of researchers I have heard presented during 2010 in various conferences, are actually pretty much basic stuff. I'm a bit disappointed. I mean, these scholars dedicate their lives to research. There are certain academic traditions in making science and these rules must be followed. It's good. It makes everything much easier, to argue and build the basic studies on previous studies...
But it is not easy for each scholar to present research study results in 15 minutes to audience. I have seen people struggling on stage. They might be highly appreciated professionals in their own field, but if not being able to communicate fluently in other language than your mother tongue, even the most contradictional, interesting or glorius subject of study turns to boredom.
On the other hand we should also see, how easily the first impressions stigmatise. Maybe we should give everyone second chances. They might improve their performances by practising their speeches in front of live, international audience. Academic audience is very forgiving, because they are so well educated.
I believe every teacher in Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences should have an opportunity to participate international conference - either abroad or in Finland. It would be one of the core competences of a teacher anyways to give lectures. But to raise the level of professional competence, all should try to give their lecture in some foreign language. Facing new challenges makes you uncertain of your abilities for a while. Leave your comfort zone and cross barriers. I honestly believe it leads to better understanding of yourself and others.
Oh and the reason I wrote this in (bad) English is a request from a member of Metropolia UAS we should produce more material here in wiki in English. ANd also I want new friends at Malmö being able to see an example of blog entry by VOIMAA COmmunications Officer. This is the stuff I write in Finnish too about my work: thoughts and impressions, notes and ideas.