Although I have attended the Vision Science Society (VSS) conference in previous years, this year will be my first as a graduate student and representative of UW. VSS 2021 will provide me with opportunities to present my new line of research and connect with my peers, professionally and personally.
First and foremost, presenting at VSS 2021 will allow me to receive invaluable feedback on the research I have been conducting in the Visual Cognition Lab. My current topic of study–the visual experience of familiarity– is new for me. Several experts on this topic are regular VSS attendees, and speaking with them would greatly benefit my work in its early stages.
VSS has provided me with fruitful networking opportunities. At VSS 2020, I was invited to an international research group– the Different Minds Collaborative. Attending VSS is imperative to maintaining the collaborative, as the majority of our meetings expand on work presented at VSS.
In addition, VSS supports my development as a scientist from an underrepresented background. Groups within the conference, such as Visibility (for the LGBTQ+ community), and FoVea (Females of Vision et al.), provide a community of peers, role models, and personalized advice from scientists that have faced many of the same issues will likely face as my career develops.
With the isolation the pandemic has brought, it is more important than ever that my support systems, professional connections, and opportunities for educational enrichment through VSS are maintained.