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| Roger Watson |
On Thursday, the STTI umbrella provided in the conference bag was called into service within five minutes of registering. Yesterday, it was wet and windy with sunny spells, and today it’s mostly cloudy. In Dublin, “four seasons” refers to the weather, not a hotel.
Friday started early with the Emerging Researcher awards, of which there are three. Only two recipients, however, were able to attend: Ryan Shaw, PhD, RN, Duke University, USA, and Parveen Ali, PhD, RN, SFHEA, University of Sheffield, UK. Parveen is a long-standing colleague and very good friend. I am proud to say that I employed her on several projects as a research assistant when she was still a graduate student at The University of Sheffield, and she never failed to deliver. She came with me to the University of Hull and made a great impression there with her hard work and “can do” attitude.
Parveen has since returned to Sheffield, where her work is focused on violence against women, especially in minority groups. With her Pakistani background, she is well placed to carry out research among the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom. I am sure her recognition as an emerging researcher will be followed by even greater achievements.
Friday’s opening keynote was given by Tanya McCance, PhD, RN, University of Ulster, UK. Tanya was one of my earliest master’s students when I was at The University of Edinburgh. My academic career was then in its infancy, and it is wonderful to see someone who was once a student—an excellent student—rise to her position of influence and achievement. In her presentation, which was on the development of KPIs (key performance indicators) in nursing, she described her highly original and participative approach and the international dimensions of that work. The session was inspiring and encouraging.
Afterward, Cathy Catrambone, PhD, RN, president of STTI, Hester Klopper, PhD, RN, past president of STTI, and Elizabeth Rosser, STTI board member and founding president of Phi Mu Chapter in England, posed for a series of photographs with Parveen to help create a memorable morning.
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| President Cathy Catrambone, Parveen Ali, and Yours Truly. |
Like most delegates, I moved between sessions where my interests took me. I was impressed by the excellent facilities in the Dublin Conference Centre, as well as the excellent organisation by the honor society staff and local staff.
While in Dublin, I also took the opportunity to catch up with an old friend and the godfather of my daughter Lucy, whom I had not seen for 20 years. Not strictly relevant to the conference, but this would not have been possible, despite the geographic proximity, without being here for more than an overnight stay.
Friday ended with Parveen's special session on the work that led to her Emerging Researcher award. She is always confident and entertaining, but I felt the award added to her stature and, more than words can say demonstrated the value of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
To access information about Watson’s presentation, including slides, click here.
To access information about Watson’s presentation, including slides, click here.
