Report from the Conference: Professor Sathyaraj Venkatesan

I have been associated with graphic medicine for more than a decade. And, I have always dreamt of meeting some of the best artists, practitioners, and scholars of graphic medicine. Thanks to the Peter James Burns Scholarship, this dream became a reality without which it is almost impossible to attend the annual conference at Athlone. I am humbled and honored to have been awarded the Peter James Burns Scholarship, especially as the first recipient from the Global South (India). In doing so, graphic medicine gives voice to the underrepresented and the underfunded, thereby fulfilling the movement’s goals of inclusion and diversity.

First, it was an incredible experience to meet some of the finest members of the graphic medicine community—Ian Williams, MK Czerwiec, Michael Green, Susan Merrill Squier, Matthew Noe, A. David Lewis, and Brian Callender. Meeting them in person was profoundly fulfilling. Beyond their scholarship and artistic prowess, these individuals are resourceful, congenial, incredibly accommodating, and extraordinary human beings. 

The theme of the 2024 Graphic Medicine Conference was “Draíocht,” the Irish word for magic. True to its theme it was a magical and surreal experience for me from the start to the end. The setting was perfect: Ireland, the land of literary giants like James Joyce, Seamus Heaney, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde. The air itself seemed infused with the sensibilities of a rich literary culture, making it a fitting backdrop for such a worthy academic meeting. The conference venue, Technological University of the Shannon (Athlone), had a warm and congenial atmosphere. A special thanks to Jane Burns and her dedicated group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to create such a magical experience for all of us.

As a presenter, it was fantastic to be moderated by Susan Merrill Squier. In my presentation titled “Beyond Borders: Unveiling the Magic of Graphic Medical Narratives in India,” I highlighted the vibrant and promising stage of graphic medicine in India, and I was thrilled to share its unique magic with the audience. It was well-received both online and offline, with various tweets about it. As Dr. Noe tweeted, the summary of my presentation is: “To whom does (graphic)medicine cater?” 

While there were several highlights at the conference, two events particularly stood out: the plenaries by Nick Sousanis and Zara Slattery, and the group think led by Dr. Noe towards the end of the conference. These sessions were deeply engaging and thought-provoking. Also, the first conference dinner at the Sheraton was noteworthy, bringing an informal air to our conversations and deepening our camaraderie. In particular, it fostered a sense of community and connection among the participants.

As I reflect on these experiences, I find my passion for graphic medicine has been doubly invigorated. It has sparked new and exciting ideas, introduced me to lifelong friends, and created invaluable and lasting memories. Thank you, graphic medicine—you truly change lives.  

Finally, Graphic Medicine 2024 is not just about stars, space, stories, and invigoration (keywords generated in the groupthink workshop); it is also about the magical and socially relevant concept of INCLUSION that defines the conference.

This magic is ever-charming and never-ending. Thank you once again for making the conference an unforgettable experience.   

Dr. Sathyaraj Venkatesan

Professor of English
Office Room # 310 | Lyceum Building
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
National Institute of Technology (NIT)

Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
INDIA. PIN: 620 015.

sathyaiitk@gmail.com | sathya@nitt.edu 

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