This past weekend a group of REL faculty and majors traveled down I-20 to Atlanta to attend the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion (SECSOR), the regional meeting of the American Academy of Religion. Through the magic of Twitter, here is a list of tips for the next time you attend an academic conference.
1. Be prepared for the trip.
The perks when riding with Anna wonder if the other group were that lucky @StudyReligion @finneged pic.twitter.com/Y4Ir3oUDJ3
— RSSA (@AlabamaRSSA) March 4, 2016
@McCutcheonSays @SRameyStudyRel @Anna2Socks with eyes on the road! pic.twitter.com/UgoKVaXwca
— Vaia Touna (@VaiaTouna) March 4, 2016
2. Let everyone know you’ve arrived.
https://twitter.com/finneged/status/705825423167528960
3. Work the registration desk to make friends.
RSSA at work #secsor @StudyReligion @Anna2Socks @Lanie_Bug13 @lizlong_prosper @SRameyStudyRel @JaredNPowell pic.twitter.com/vsXVJg1rv0
— RSSA (@AlabamaRSSA) March 4, 2016
4. Get a name tag.
Affiliated #first #identity pic.twitter.com/eHShyqrYzf
— Vaia Touna (@VaiaTouna) March 4, 2016
5. Do some (social) networking.
I had been at #SECSOR for less than half an hour when I heard that some of my tweets have been used in @StudyReligion classes. #winning
— Thomas Whitley (@thomaswhitley) March 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/lizlong_prosper/status/705950674635382784
https://twitter.com/lizlong_prosper/status/705925457942810624
6. Present a paper.
https://twitter.com/finneged/status/706214757267869698
Waiting to hear Jared @StudyReligion @JaredNPowell #secsor #andthebeatgoeson pic.twitter.com/JRyZlHTy02
— RSSA (@AlabamaRSSA) March 5, 2016
..but remember to stay cool.
*Before presenting your paper and after. #secsor @JaredNPowell @StudyReligion @AlabamaRSSA pic.twitter.com/e9IlczhkHg
— 🅰️nna (@labamaAnna) March 5, 2016
7. Ask questions at panels.
https://twitter.com/Lanie_Bug13/status/706500947376267264
https://twitter.com/finneged/status/706516568805662721
8. Enjoy a meal with friends.
As it turns out, REL'ers eat not once or even twice a day but, believe it or not, 3 times. #secsor2016 @AlabamaRSSA pic.twitter.com/HmuF3JMX6P
— UA Dept. of REL (@StudyReligion) March 6, 2016
9. Take advantage of the hotel amenities.
https://twitter.com/lizlong_prosper/status/706522336925712384
10. Get some rest on the way home.
Productive yet tiring wknd #takingitallin @StudyReligion @Anna2Socks @JaredNPowell @lizlong_prosper @Lanie_Bug13 pic.twitter.com/tMUqCweI3W
— RSSA (@AlabamaRSSA) March 6, 2016
We’re really proud of how well these folks represented REL in ATL!
Glad to be home after engaging fun #SECSOR2016 conf. From @StudyReligion 2 undergrad papers, 4 faculty panelists, lots of discussion. 1/2
— Steven W. Ramey (@SRameyStudyRel) March 7, 2016
& 4 undergrads asked good questions in panels, plus live tweeting. UA @StudyReligion has the best undergrads! #RELtakesATL 2/2
— Steven W. Ramey (@SRameyStudyRel) March 7, 2016
I admit we have The. Most. Fun. Students @StudyReligion @JaredNPowell @Anna2Socks @lizlong_prosper and Sarah #secsor
— Vaia Touna (@VaiaTouna) March 5, 2016
Yep.