Last week, I had the opportunity to present my research at the ISA RC38 conference in Budapest. My presentation, titled “Half a Century in a ‘New’ Town: Biographies of Residents and Neighborhood Associations,” focused on the evolving roles of residents, particularly the elderly, in a planned community that has now existed for over fifty years. Through biographical research and text mining analysis, I examined how community activities and self-governance have changed over time, especially as the founding generation ages and the younger generation begins to take on leadership roles.

One of the key themes in my research is how elderly residents, despite their rich experiences in community building, often do not see these as personal success stories. This disconnect between their life stories and their community involvement has implications for how we think about aging and social participation. I also explored the evolving dynamics within neighborhood associations, particularly how generational shifts and the introduction of new leadership practices have affected local governance.

The presentation itself went smoothly, and I received several insightful questions from the audience. One question that particularly stood out was about the relationship between local governance changes and broader national or regional policies. Another question focused on why the conflicts within the community were so clearly reflected in the community newsletters—something I had not fully considered before. This discussion gave me new insights, and I’m now planning to explore the topic further from a media studies perspective.

The conference also provided a wonderful opportunity for networking. I had the chance to meet researchers from around the world who are working on similar themes in community studies and local governance. Several participants have already shared photos from the event, and I look forward to staying in touch and possibly collaborating on future projects.

Budapest, as the host city, was an inspiring location for the conference. The city’s rich history and vibrant culture added another layer of depth to the experience, and I’m grateful for the chance to explore it, even briefly, between sessions.

As I move forward with my research, I plan to incorporate the feedback and ideas I gained during this conference. I’m excited about the new directions this may take me, particularly in examining the role of media in shaping community narratives and the perception of conflict.

As I prepared for my presentation, I had the unique and stimulating experience of working closely with ChatGPT. It offered me advice on writing in English and pointed out areas where my arguments lacked clarity, allowing us to work together in a two-way process. In fact, this very blog post was drafted based on the exchanges I had with ChatGPT during the preparation period.