Amy O'Keeffe, Department of Classics
PhD: The (In)Tangible Body: Representations and Scholarly Attitudes Towards Body Modification in the Ancient Mediterranean
For my first trip to the United States, I didn’t know what to expect from Boston College. I remember clearly the nervous, but excited energy of myself, Holly and Rafael, as we flew across the Atlantic, embarking on our adventure together, an experience enriched by each other’s company.
All anxiety I felt about my trip was immediately swept away by the warm welcome that we received in Connolly House. In typical Irish fashion, the hospitality consisted of tea, cake, and warm conversation. We found common ground and learned a lot about each of our academic cultures. While sharing my doctoral research, I described some of my own journey as a first-generation college student, which seemed to resonate with many in the audience. They were incredibly receptive to my multidisciplinary research on body modifications in the ancient Mediterranean, and of my critical analysis of past scholarship. I wasn't sure of how my work would be received, but the excitement and curiosity exhibited in subsequent conversation was encouraging, as were some useful insights from Professor Guy Beiner.
While in Boston, we visited the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), where I caught a Georgia O’Keeffe and Henry Moore exhibition, as well as a Dalí exhibition (one of my favourites). The museum also had archaeological artefacts relevant to my research, that I will be able to use. A highlight for me was our visit to Boston’s Museum of African American History, where we were given an engaging talk about the history of the area through the lens of the African American population. The museum had historical documents, photographs, and some modern art pieces by local African American youths. The museum was placed along the Black Heritage Trail, which highlighted key locations such as Underground Railroad safehouses, and the homes of some of the notable African American community leaders we had just learned about.
Holly Ritchie, Amy O'Keeffe, Rafael Mendes Silva and Eve Patten
Holly Ritchie, Department of History
PhD: Saviours and Slavers: the Irish in the Catholic Atlantic 1763-1860
There are many aspects of this experience that I could highlight as formative but instead I’ll emphasise the importance of enjoying the conversations that occur in the margins and the meanderings in-between.
As my peers and I entered Connolly House, Boston College’s Centre for Irish Studies, we were greeted with the familiarity of old friends and directed into a room with a long wooden dining table ablaze with lumière dorée. And in a format familiar to us from our own Trinity Long Room Hub weekly coffee mornings, we introduced ourselves, mused and discussed our doctoral programmes, comprehensive exams, teaching and beyond.
Obliged to disband and move towards Devlin Hall for our presentations, we couldn’t help but continue our discussion. "That's it! This is exactly what I was hoping for—these kinds of conversations!" Professor Guy Beiner, director and Sullivan Chair of Irish Studies at BC remarked as he gazed around, clapping his hands together. His excitement was palpable, and infectious. This networking event was unlike any other I had attended. It was without expectation -- having been the first of what will hopefully continue to be a long-standing exchange between our institutions-- but an event where I felt I had met people who I would grow through academia with.
Over pancakes we pored over city maps and navigated the Green Line together; over hotel drip coffee, we recited our talks, shared thoughts, and transitioned from academic familiarity to acquaintances. At the end of the trip, over Luke’s Lobster with hot honey butter dripping through our fingers, we contemplated and narrated our journey: how we had not expected to travel around the city together; how adored we felt and how much we adored our new friends in BC; and how we could carry our friendship back across the Atlantic.
Rafael Mendes Silva, Department of Hispanic Studies
PhD: Disidentification, (Non)Normativity and the Gothic in Contemporary Latin American Women Writing
As I stepped into Connolly House, home of Boston College’s Centre for Irish Studies, my anxiety dissipated, and excitement took the reins: Barry’s tea, afternoon cakes, and discussions about the best flavour of Tayto crisps made me feel as if I hadn’t left home.
During the networking coffee, we discussed the similarities and differences between PhD programmes, funding opportunities, and the job market in Ireland and the US. One discussion that particularly impacted me was how Teaching Philosophy Statements are vital when hiring candidates. Despite producing one in a workshop, I was unaware of its weight beyond designing a module. This insight led me to include a new goal in my Personal Skills Audit. Later that day, I talked about Camila Sosa Villada’s novel Las malas. The audience, mostly unfamiliar with travesti identities, was very interested in the theme, allowing me to discuss my project at length during the reception. Amongst the many conversations I had that evening, the ones BC research students Johanna Alden and Robby Baskin, in particular, proved highly significant. They not only suggested scholarships I didn’t know about but offered comments and questions that would undoubtedly inform the redraft of the chapter my talk was based on.
My favourite cultural activity was the visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, notably the exhibition Art of the Americas, the 20th Century, featuring introductory texts in Spanish and English—a QR code link would give the text in Portuguese. Roaming around the exhibition made me reflect again on why I am pursuing a PhD in Latin American Literature: to decolonise the Western/European gaze towards my first place of origin while being informed by my formative years in Ireland.
Travelling to Boston was a remarkable and valuable experience. Now, I look forward to welcoming colleagues from Boston College at the Hub and continuing to foster community and research.
Professor Eve Patten added: “Trinity’s postgraduates were excellent ambassadors, for the Hub and the University as a whole. My warmest thanks to Boston College, particularly Professor Guy Beiner and Dr Rachael Young at Connolly House, and James Keenan, S.J.,Vice Provost for Global Engagement. We hope that this rich and promising connection between our research students will continue to build into the future.”