International conferences are a great opportunity to present to the wider community, network with individuals who are solving similar problems, and travel to new countries and institutions. As a Ph.D. student, attending conferences and workshops has been one of the most formative parts of my development as a graduate researcher.

Because many ceramics graduate programs are small, students often do not have the opportunity to encounter other students with similar research interests. International meetings and workshops, however, provide opportunities to interact with peers from all over the world and build useful contacts and support networks.