This week I had the honour of presenting a paper at the Irish Screen Studies Seminar, which was held at Ulster University, Belfast campus. My paper was titled 'The Pressure to 'Speak Now': Parasocial Relationships, Fan Activism and Celebrity Silence', and I had the opportunity to answer questions on a Q&A panel afterwards, discussing our approaches to screen studies research and the findings of our papers. I was also able to catch a range of excellent panels and papers whilst I was working across the two days of the conference. I'd love to include a quote by the late Martin McLoone, who was a pioneering figure in the study of film and media across Ireland. In his keynote address, Professor John Hill reminded us of McLoone's notion of 'a critical project', one that can have "it's own creative dynamic, pushing and suggesting, making connections and offering readings that ultimately adhere to no other agenda than the educational in the broadest sense" (Irish National Cinema: What Have We Wrought?). I thought it was a particularly apt quote that certainly summarises the importance and value of screen studies research. 

Thank you to Dr Jennie Carlsten and Dr Giuliana Monteverde for organising the event and allowing me to participate in my first conference as a PhD researcher at Ulster University. I look forward to attending and presenting at many more!