PhD and conference attendance

[Holibobby]

I've had an abstract accepted to present at a prestiguous overseas conference. But now the reality has set in that I would have to put quite a bit of money towards it which as a single parent is always a struggle. Also would be away from my daughter for around 3-4 days which may unsettle her. She will be with her dad and other family members. I need help with deciding what to do. It could be really great to network with all the key players in the field but then is it practical?

Has anybody got any experience of overseas conference? I have presented and stayed away at conferences in UK but not abroad.

I attended many overseas conferences when I was doing my PhD and later when I was working in academia. I really don’t see why your DD won’t be alright if she is with her father. Would he worry about going away to a conference and leaving her with you? I found overseas conferences to be very useful not just for networking but hearing about the research of others working in different countries. You should definitely attend. Meant to say that conferences are pretty much the same where ever you go!

Do you want a career in academia? If so go, but to with purpose. Work out who you want to network with, email beforehand and set up coffees with them. If you to and aimlessly wander about hoping to spot a name badge then it'll be a wasted trip.

Also ask uni to pay for you. They may say no but they may be able to find the money .

I did an overseas conference during my PhD and got it funded almost entirely through grants from the various societies I belonged to. As a student member I was able to access travel grants and study grants, then the last £80 was funded by my department. Are you a member of any societies or associations that could help with funding?

It was a great experience, lots of networking- most people had come from afar so almost everyone was in the same bar together at the end of the evening.

Your DD will most likely be fine for a few days with her Dad, when mine were young it was often me that was more bothered about being away than them (actually, I think that's still the case!).

@Holibobby You should be able to find funding to help you go. Ask your supervisor or department PGR supervisor if there are any internal pots of money firstly. If not, what field of research are you in? There may be external funding available.

My dept funded one overseas and one home conference over the lifetime of the PhD. But also had a pot to apply to if you'd used those. Check if yours does similar, and look at external funding too.