By: Shelina Adatia
In June 2019, I arrived in beautiful Vancouver filled with excitement and anticipation. I was awestruck that I was amongst the Top 25 Storytellers and that I would be presenting my research at the University of British Columbia (UBC) – truly one of the most stunning campuses I’ve ever visited. My first day was spent touring the campus, visiting the sites of our rehearsals and workshops, getting to know my fellow Storytellers, and being a tourist. Our workshops began the next day where we learnt about the importance and power of stories, whilst also practising and getting feedback on our presentations. I definitely experienced anxiety and frustration when I couldn’t get things quite right or couldn’t remember what I wanted to say, but overall, I was so proud for making it this far and so excited to be a part of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) herstory.
On the day of the Storytellers Showcase, I arrived bright and early so I could practise with my mic and slides one last time. When the President of SSHRC, Mr. Ted Hewitt, introduced me as the first presenter I was all nerves but I was ready. I did my very best and I will never forget the simultaneous sense of pride and relief as I finished my presentation and stepped off the stage. The best, however, was yet to come.
One of the prizes SSHRC presents to one storyteller is the Storytellers Engagement Prize. This prize is given to the storyteller who most creatively promotes their own research whilst also promoting the research of others and the Storytellers contest generally. I was elated when my name was announced as the 2019 winner of the Storytellers Engagement Prize! Some (like my nephews) would say that the best part of winning that prize is that it comes with a brand-new iPad. I would say that one of the best parts is the sense of accomplishment of having your research recognized in such an impactful way.
Overall, my experience as a Storyteller at the 2019 Storytellers Showcase was incredible. While there were moments of hilarity, like getting locked out of my residence washroom, there were also moments of pure joy, like meeting my friend’s daughter for the first time and savouring homemade lavender ice cream post-Showcase.
As a researcher, participating in the Storytellers Showcase gave me the motivation to persevere, not only because of the recognition I received but even more so because of the realizations I had. By persisting in my research, despite the obstacles I may face, I would ultimately contribute to societal change. Experiencing the Storytellers Showcase thus enabled me to reaffirm my commitment to my research. Now, over two years later, these words remind me to stay the course: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” (Gorman, 2021, stanza 18).
References
Gorman, A. (2021). The Hill We Climb.