Archive for the ‘scotland’ Category
Good news, I think
Posted on: March 12, 2009
- In: academic theology | sbl | scotland
- 3 Comments
I am in Scotland and there is a rainbow. This is a good thing since it reminds me that God’s love is faithful and sure.
This morning I had an email to say that my paper proposal for this year’s SBL conference in November has been accepted. I was very excited to hear this. Then I got an email listing all the other presenters in that section. Now I am very afraid indeed.
It is a joint session between the Hebrew Poetry section and the Hebrew Linguistics section which means that there are a lot of VERY good Hebraists presenting. I am no more than a mediocre Hebraist on a good day.
More than that, the person whose methodology I have adapted and used in my paper will also be presenting. This is a good thing since I don’t yet know how to pronounce his name, but it is clearly also a very frightening thing since he will immediately be able to spot the flaws in my paper.
Still, it does mean that I can apply for funding from UHI to pay for the costs of going to the conference. And most excitingly, since I have to have a layover somewhere, I am planning to go via Philadelphia and spend a few days visiting all my friends in Glenside.
A challenge or an opportunity?
Posted on: November 3, 2008
- In: scotland | song of songs
- Comments Off
Probably both, actually. Later this week I’m going to the UHI* conference for PhD students in Oban. Most of the students come from SAMS (Scottish Association for Marine Science, where the conference is being held), the NAFC Marine Centre, Mallaig Marine Training Centre (are you starting to see the theme?), the Environmental Research Institute, the Institute of Agronomy, the Sustainable Development Research Centre, and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (the only Gaelic-medium college in the world). The keynote lectures are, ‘Agriculture to Zoology – You Can’t Escape Weather & Climate Change’ and ‘Ethical and Legal Challenges in Biotechnology’.
I plan to take my knitting. And also Jam’s book for proofreading. And some matchsticks to prop my eyelids open. Most of the time is given over to student presentations. Mainly about fish.
Still, the marine scientists will have to sit through three presentations from HTC students, including one from me on the Song of Songs. It’s been quite a challenge working out what to say about my research to a group of people who I don’t suppose have any knowledge or interest in the field. It would be great to be able to convey something to them of Christ’s passionate, devoted love for his people.
In addition to the formal sessions, the conference involves two nights in a very nice hotel, dinner at posh restaurant on one night and ceilidh on the other. So it should be fun.
*You’re not allowed to ask what UHI stands for. Technically it doesn’t stand for anything. One day soon, they hope it will stand for the University of the Highlands and Islands. UHI does have the power to award taught degrees but not yet research degrees, which means that mine will be validated by the University of Aberdeen, which is a Good Thing for me.
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