Megan Morgan had this to say about her experience: 
‘I went along to CHI alongside many others from the Bristol Interaction Group including Paul Marshall, John Bird, Ewan Soubutts, Pete Bennett, Ollie Hanton, Elaine Czech and Immy Biswas. The conference covered a huge variety of topics involved in human computer interaction ranging from tangible interactions, UX design, ethics of research, health and long-term care. I made a wide variety of new connections with other PhD students, I also connected with entire HCI groups in Bath, Newcastle and Dublin. HCI researchers within my specific field including Madeline Balaam and Adrienne Pichon. As well as speaking to well renowned HCI researchers about my work including Yvonne Rogers, Madeline Tremaine and Roel Vertegaal.
I wrote a paper which was accepted for a workshop called ‘Challenges, Tensions, and Opportunities in Designing Ecosystems to Support the Management of Complex Health Needs’. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet HCI researchers in my field, but also to discuss and understand more deeply how my research can assist with ecosystem creation or support. I connected with many interesting researchers and learnt about how their research can add to the building of mine and discussed and worked together over the course of a day. I know that the connections I have made at this workshop will be invaluable through the course of my career.
I also went to the conference as a student volunteer, meaning I learnt about the workings of the conference and helped with various activities such as running sessions and checking people in at reception for a total of 14 hours through the week. This was hugely impactful to me in learning more about the conference and the CHI community, it also meant through my interactions as a volunteer that I met and could help many interesting people.
I know that through the vast amount on knowledge I have received and the connections I have made that my research with be greatly improved. The conversations I had through the week inspired me , not only about the current study I am doing but also helped me think differently about the future studies I am in the midst of planning. I have also made connections that may well lead to collaborations in the future.’
