Not Zoom Fatigued Yet—First day of a 10 day Academic Conference in 2020
Today began the first-ever Virtual SBLAAR Conference. This seeming innocuous shift actually impacted my personal life in several ways.
I have traveled on the third weekend of November to exotic American locations, like Boston and San Antonio, for the past decade. These trips include four or five days of connecting with professional colleagues. I have loved every jet-lagged minute of it!
Academic research can feel very isolating, especially in times when I have worked as contingent faculty. Therefore, the SBLAAR conference provided an essential source of scholarship and networking (both by formal and informal means).
Since jobs in a singular specialization can be few and far between, I am often separated from friends and colleagues by distance and time zones in my specific discipline. The SBLAAR conference is an annual opportunity to connect and even encourage each other in shared interests. It is also a great opportunity to brainstorm new ideas and pose potential collaboration.
Over the past several years, participants complain about the number of sessions and ‘read’ papers. But, I think the stacking of sessions and multiple disciplines and presentation styles strengthen diversity in our field. Even when scheduling conflicts mean I can only attend a handful of papers; sometimes these conflicts force me to consider another discipline. Sometimes I end up following an associate into a session I would not have considered. I have stumbled across the best papers this way!
I am optimistic that virtual conferencing can work well because I have participated in several symposiums since the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. But, we may have to let go of some long-standing assumptions about how we do things.
About this event
Society of Biblical Literature/American Academy of Religion (SBLAAR) is an Annual Academic Conference that extends Nationally, Internationally, and Regionally. This is the first year it is running online as a virtual conference. Usually, it is held in a large metropolitan city in the United States. Read about #SBLAAR presentations. Also, read about other academic conferences.
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer, holding a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, is a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Biblical Ethics, Mythopoeia, and Resistance Theory. Her work focuses on justice in ancient religious texts, notably reinterpreting Psalm 82’s ethics in the Hebrew Bible, with her findings currently under peer review.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Mongé-Greer is an experienced University instructor, having taught various biblical studies courses. Her teaching philosophy integrates theoretical discussions with practical insights, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Her ongoing projects include a book on religious themes in the series Battlestar Galactica and further research in biblical ethics, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary studies that blend religion with contemporary issues.
