By: Ryan Busillo
Attending last year's convention in Pittsburgh was invaluable to my professional development. Academic conferences are simply the best way to engage with colleagues and fellow students outside of your typical department bubble. The paper I presented in Pittsburgh blended archival research and theory, demonstrating how the ideology of two social movement organizations influenced their communication strategy. It was my first foray into novel academic writing. The project's supervisor, Dr. Lisa Burns, professor of media studies at Quinnipiac University, recommended the American Journalism Historians Association’s 2024 convention as an excellent place to submit. I couldn't have attended without the support provided through the Michael S. Sweeney Graduate Student Travel Stipend. 
Having the opportunity to present my research to a supportive community of scholars was a big step towards crafting meaningful research. The suggestions and critique I received were helpful in understanding where to take this article next. Notably, I had the opportunity to discuss the paper with Aniko Bodroghkozy, whose book Groove Tube: Sixties Television and the Youth Rebellion (2016) served as a major source. Beyond my own presentation, attending other panels exposed me areas of history I had never explored in my own work but now want to interrogate.
The AJHA has cultivated a uniquely welcoming atmosphere for emerging scholars. This spirit of generosity, which should not surprise anyone who has attended an AJHA convention, is felt by every graduate student I spoke to in Pittsburgh last year. The best way to keep the AJHA and its convention a welcoming space for graduate students is to support the Sweeney Travel Stipend by participating in the annual auction.
Despite the importance of attending academic conferences during graduate school, financial realities make that a challenge. The rising cost of tuition, coupled with the nil to paltry compensation graduate student labor receives from universities, has deepened the precarity we study in. The travel expenses, hotel costs, and registration fees associated with academic conference travel compound this. Recognizing this is particularly important as the academy becomes more sensitive to the way these structural realities disincentivize career development of rising academics from disadvantaged communities. Financial assistance can be the difference between a graduate student attending a conference or not. Conference participation often requires choosing between professional development and financial stability, especially if you live in a city with high cost of living as I do.
A cash-strapped graduate student myself, the Sweeney Travel Stipend made traveling to the convention a far easier decision. The stipend covered my hotel stay at the conference venue, allowing me to fully participate in both scheduled sessions and valuable informal discussions with peers. The auction that funds the Sweeney Travel Stipend provides a direct way to address these challenges and supports emerging scholars.
The annual AJHA auction is an investment in the future of journalism history scholarship. Every vintage publication, piece of memorabilia, or regional gift basket donated and bid on opens the door for another graduate student to join our scholarly community. Your participation in the auction directly supports the next generation of researchers through the Michael S. Sweeney Graduate Student Travel Stipend, ensuring our field remains vibrant and accessible to all.
Ryan Busillo is a graduate student at the New School for Social Research in New York City. He serves on the AJHA public relations committee.
