On 16 November, Dr Jennifer Riley from the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History, will give a talk at TEDxAberdeen on 'grave goods' - the objects and items placed alongside the dead during burial or cremation.
We caught up with Jennie to find out more about her talk and how she's feeling ahead of the event...
What made you decide to apply to speak at this year’s TEDxAberdeen?
It was three things. First, it was a chance to get people talking and thinking about death and dying from a well-respected platform. Grave goods feel exotic and unusual when you first introduce them, but people quickly realise they are deeply relevant and relatable.
That also meant, second, that the theme – identity – was just too good to pass up. Grave goods are bound up with identity in all its complexity, so this was a marriage made in heaven (other afterlives are available).
Third, one of my best friends went out of his way to review my application (because no one wants to re-watch a video of themselves, do they?) and reassure me it was intriguing and engaging. I wasn’t going to let him down.
How did you feel when you found out you’d been chosen?
I can only assume that it was just like what X Factor contestants feel when they get the phone call to say they’ve made it to the live shows. I was excited, flattered and delighted that the panel had seen something of just how exciting I think my research is.
(Does the X Factor reference age me terribly?)
Tell us a bit about your research and your TEDxAberdeen talk.
My research is all about grave goods – the objects and items left alongside the dead, which the living can’t get back. We associate grave goods with archaeology easily enough, but what we don’t talk about nearly so much is the very widespread, significant and meaningful role they play in contemporary Britain. If my talk goes to plan, it will bring grave goods up out of Ancient Egypt and land them cleanly in 21st century Aberdeen, and get people pondering where they fit in now.
How have you been preparing?
By collecting curious props and talking to myself a lot. Usually when I lecture or give conference papers, I’ve got slides and notes to fall back on. But this is 12 minutes of me on stage with nothing for company but a box of eclectic objects. I’m trying to get to the point where the words and ideas are so engrained that I can relax and communicate them effortlessly. But that means putting in the hours of practice now!
How are you feeling ahead of the event?
Raring to go. The last two run throughs have gone really well, so I feel ready – in some ways I wish it was sooner, then the nerves wouldn’t have time to build up.
Are there any other talks you’re looking forward to?
As someone with a PhD in theology and religion, I’m unsurprisingly very excited about Rose Owen’s talk, which explores cults and identity. I also love what Sarah Malone’s talk is doing to raise awareness about women’s health and pain, and what it’s like to have it systematically dismissed. If it means one more young woman feels able to advocate for herself, and have her concerns taken seriously and treated with compassion, Sarah will have changed the world with her talk.
Why should people come along to TEDxAberdeen this year?
To enjoy a really varied set of engaging ideas. Identity is a huge theme, and the ten of us have all taken it in different directions. You won’t have a choice but to think about new ideas in new ways.
One final word ahead of TEDxAberdeen 2024:
I recently reached a very predictable millennial academic milestone and set up an Instagram page for my research, where I’ll be talking all things TEDx as well as inviting people to explore some of the wonderful and weird grave goods people pick out in contemporary Britain. If you’re curious, give @baggageforthebeyond a follow!