By Nanke Ning, Sheba Tayo-Garbson, Ubongabasi Kingsley Omon, and Yanxi Wu
Word Count: 436
Time to Read: 2mins 28s
Four doctoral students, Nanke Ning, Sheba Tayo-Garbson, Ubongabasi Kingsley Omon, and Yanxi Wu, from Salford University are thrilled to receive scholarships to attend the Cumberland Lodge Commonwealth & International Student Christmas Conference 2023, which took place from 15th to 17th December 2023. The conference brought together students from various countries and disciplines to explore the theme, “A Christmas Conundrum: How to argue well in the holidays”.
The conference was a perfect blend of academic and social activities, designed to foster learning, networking, and fun. We had the opportunity to listen to two inspiring lectures from experts on conflict resolution and social connectedness, as well as to participate in a practical workshop on how to argue better and survive a festive fallout. We also enjoyed a carol service, a guided winter trail through Windsor Great Park, and a traditional Christmas dinner, complete with a visit from Santa Claus. One of the highlights of the conference was the Christmas quiz and festive soirée (karaoke), where we showcased our creative talents and celebrated our diversity.
It was held at the Cumberland Lodge, a former royal residence and now an educational charity that promotes dialogue and understanding on social and ethical issues. The Windsor Great Park, where the lodge is located, was also a stunning sight, especially in the winter season. We enjoyed walking through the park, admiring the ancient trees and the wildlife. We saw herons, egrets, and mistle thrushes in the air. We even spotted some deer and horses roaming around the park, adding to the charm and beauty of the landscape.
The conference was a valuable learning experience for us, as it helped us develop our skills in communication, argumentation, and critical thinking. These skills are essential for any researcher, as we need to be able to debate and defend our scholarly positions in various settings and occasions, such as conferences, seminars, publications, and viva voce. The conference also exposed us to different perspectives and experiences from other students and speakers who hail from different parts of the world, holding diverse backgrounds and worldviews.
Furthermore, we learned how to communicate effectively and respectfully in a difficult environment, such as a family gathering or a social event, where opinions and emotions may clash. We learned how to listen actively, ask open-ended questions, acknowledge different views, and find common ground. We learned how to avoid logical fallacies, emotional manipulation, and personal attacks. We learned how to express our own opinions clearly, confidently, and constructively, without being aggressive or defensive. This rich ambiance broadened our horizons and challenged our assumptions, thereby making us more open to alternative views and ideas about the world, politics, religion, and such other contentious issues.
We are grateful to Cumberland Lodge and Salford University Doctoral School for giving us this opportunity to make new friends from around the world. We hope to keep in touch with them and collaborate in the future; but for now, we will cherish the loads of pictures and videos that captured our time together.
About the Authors
Nanke Ning: Nanke Ning is a cultural studies researcher based in Manchester, currently undertaking doctoral research at the University of Salford. Her research primarily explores the careers of Chinese cultural workers and artists. Over the past seven years, Nanke has gained extensive experience in the art world through a variety of roles, including working at art fairs, galleries, and as a curator, as well as serving as a university lecturer in both China and abroad.
Omon Ubongabasi Kingsley: Kingsley is an accomplished strategist and leader in the digital business domain, boasting 20 years of experience. His expertise lies in formulating and executing data-centric strategies that significantly impact multinational corporations. Concurrently, he imparts his knowledge as a part-time lecturer, educating both undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts on Digital Business Technologies and the principles driving Industry 4.0. Presently, Kingsley is advancing his academic pursuits by undertaking a PhD in Digital Transformation and Innovation at the University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
Yanxi Wu: Yanxi Wu is a PhD student in the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, University of Salford, UK, researching the relevance of digital curation for Chinese Contemporary art in the UK. She has been a curatorial assistant with the University of Salford Art Collection for the Albert Adams project (supported by the Salford Advantage Fund) in 2022. After starting her PhD studies, she received the Cumberland Lodge Scholarship twice to attend the “Life Beyond the PhD” conference in August 2021 and Commonwealth & International Student Christmas Conference in December 2023. Presently, Yanxi has achieved the status of Associate Fellow for Higher Education and is working to get more teaching experience in the UK.
Sheba Tayo-Garbson: Sheba is a dedicated Postgraduate Researcher focusing on exploring the impact of social media in digital activism and collective action against gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria. She is honoured to be a recipient of the University of Salford EDI fee waiver for her research. With over 10 years of lecturing experience, Sheba has held the esteemed position of Head of Department of Mass Communication at a leading polytechnic in Nigeria, where she pioneered the unbundling of Mass Communication in polytechnics, a significant milestone that has passed the curriculum development phase. Sheba also contributed as a member of the editorial team of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). Enthusiastic about responsible social media usage, she has championed projects among tertiary students and served as a resource person for seminars organized by the Nigerian Army. Additionally, her voice has reached audiences through radio, where she has served as an On-Air Personality (OAP) and newscaster. She is a versatile writer, advocate, and content creator deeply committed to fostering positive change in society.