Montreal, Canada

PROGRAM: Ph.D. Public Policy & Administration

Attending the SASE Annual Conference Montreal 2025 was a gratifying experience, both academically and personally. I could engage with scholars from a diverse array of research fields, producing high-quality work that advances the socioeconomic field. I particularly enjoyed the social/networking events, where I had the chance to meet people from diverse regions like Brazil, Haiti, Canada and the U.S. These interactions helped me engage in stimulating conversations, exchange ideas, share my experiences as a political refugee from communism, and reflect on exterminisms, expanding my professional network. I received terrific feedback from the panel of Community, Organizations, and Democracy, and I will use it to refine my dissertation project. I observed that much of the research focus was placed on European issues, which, while important, left me with the sense that more attention could be directed toward other regions, such as Africa and Latin America, which seem to be underrepresented, despite the pressing need for research in these areas. My experience at SASE 2025 was overall very rewarding. The conference provided a platform for broadening my perspective and refining my methodological instincts. I am grateful for the support from the Biden School and the Graduate College that enabled my participation.