Notes from First Time Duckees
I just wanted to thank you again for the invitation to Duck -- it has officially spoiled all other conferences. I had a great time.
~Melissa Ferguson (6/13/2005)
I was truly blown away by the Duck experience. To be honest, I was a bit nervous to come into this new environment with so many people I've looked up to for years. Never in a million years did I think I would feel so welcome and supported. What a true mix of "business" and "pleasure"--to in one breath to be talking seriously about your latest research and in another be hilariously sharing your most embarrassing story. I took away so many new ideas, got great feedback about my work, started potential collaborations with people I may have never met--I can't say enough how great an experience it was; the true gold standard for an academic conference and one of the best professional experiences I've ever had.
~Shana Cole (6/10/2016)
What an amazing tradition - I was very honored to be a part of it and hope to come back next year.
~Toni Schmader (6/13/2010)
I just wanted to thank you again for organizing such a great conference. The talks were stimulating, the food was delicious, the company was great, and our host was gracious -- what more can you ask for.
~Kerry Kawakami (6/19/2008)
Think about the academic conferences you’ve been to. What do you love about them? What do you hate about them? I love catching up with old friends, making new friends, having deep conversations, taking long walks, being inspired by the latest and coolest work, forming exciting collaborations, and enjoying nice food and drinks. I hate being overwhelmed, having to run from one place to another, and shallow socializing. Duck is the only conference I’ve been to that manages to offer all of the things I love and none of the things I hate. A full week of pure intellectual delight and real human connection.
~Spike Lee (1/27/2024)
Thank you so much again for a magical Duck week. I really had no idea when accepted your invitation that it's going to be such a remarkable experience, first and foremost because of the excellent group of people that were so friendly, smart, and fun to be with. I salute you for directing this conference in a way that brought out the best of everybody (or at least that's the way it felt) and made the atmosphere so special. And also thank you for choosing such a great location -- it was nothing but perfect.
~Elinor Amit (6/15/2012)
I want to again thank you for an absolutely incredible week. I have returned, filled with and stretched by new ideas, reenergized about existing programs of research, and excited about embarking on new ones. Although it may sound dramatic, I truly mean it when I say that I imagine I will look back and think about my life as a social psychologist marked by Duck, pre and post. Thank you so much for welcoming me so fully into this group. I have no doubt that the connections formed this week, both professional and personal, will be career-sustaining ones.
~Abby Scholer (6/13/2011)
The conference itself was among the most rewarding personal and professional experiences I have ever had. As a junior faculty member... it can sometimes be difficult to form meaningful connections at large conferences like SPSP. And I admit that I was initially a little nervous about attending Duck because I didn't know many of the attendees beforehand. As soon as I arrived, though, any fears I had dissipated. Everyone I met was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely interested in learning about one another's work. I am so honored to have been invited to spend a week with such an esteemed and interpersonally wonderful group of colleagues. And I'm already looking forward to catching up with fellow Duckees at SESP this fall, as well as attending future Duck conferences!
~Kimberly Rios (6/13/2010)
Don, thank you for putting together such a wonderful conference of the most engaged and collegial scholars! The talks were more like conversations and I enjoyed the feedback, both giving and receiving, so so much. I loved that format allowed for so many informal conversations, I truly gained so much from joining this incredible community!Don, thank you for putting together such a wonderful conference of the most engaged and collegial scholars! The talks were more like conversations and I enjoyed the feedback, both giving and receiving, so so much. I loved that format allowed for so many informal conversations, I truly gained so much from joining this incredible community!
~Kristin Laurin (1/31/2024)
As you already know, I loved every moment of the conference. I have new research collaborations that have sprung from conversations with other Duckies, and an invitation to talk at Indiana in the Fall. I have nothing but great things to say about everyone who attended - I have fallen in love with social cognitionists again. I hope you get as much pleasure and satisfaction from Duck to match the effort and commitment that you put in. Duck has changed my perspective on myself and my career in ways that I would never have imagined.
~Claire Ashton-James (6/20/2008)
Many many thanks for all of your organizational efforts surrounding Duck. What an honor it was to be invited and become part of an incredible tradition that has clearly shaped the field of social cognition. My research has benefitted from all the feedback I received both during the formal presentation and all the conversations on the beach. I will remember that week with fond memories and warm regards.
Thanks again for a wonderful conference. I consider it to be one of the best academic and professional experiences I've ever had. Many many thanks!
~Emily Balcetis (6/25/2008)
I'll write more later, but for now I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for the opportunity to experience Duck. From day one it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I feel so fortunate to have been included. Everyone I met was smart, knowledgeable, helpful, and just NICE! You've really created a piece of heaven.
~Amy Hackney (6/18/2008)
I was so excited when I got invited to Duck for the first time, and the conference actually managed to *exceed* my expectations. The community of scholars is both welcoming and brilliant. I am really grateful to have benefited from the community's camaraderie and wisdom over the years.
~Julianna Schroeder (2/7/2024)
Wow, what a week! Coming in I had only heard positive things from other Duckees, and I now see what all the fuss was about. From the excellent feedback I got during and following my talk to the many great conversations with old and new friends to the pool volleyball (especially the pool volleyball!), my experience last week far exceeded my (already quite high) expectations. I can safely say that Duck has now surpassed PMIG as my favorite conference (shh...don't tell Dave and Steve). Thanks again for the invitation and for your continued efforts in making Duck so special. You have a great thing going--I honestly couldn't offer a single suggestion for making it better.
~Andy Todd (6/10/2013)
Thank you so much for inviting me to attend Duck this year and organizing what is truly a welcoming and fun conference. I cannot say enough great things about my experience and conference overall…Thank you again for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful conference and community!
~Eva Pietri (6/17/2024)
I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know what a FANTASTIC time Zak and I had at Duck! We've been raving about it since we left (and were raving about it while we were still there too :) it really is a tremendous conference in so many ways- the ability to get to know other social psychologists, both professionally and personally; the fantastic surroundings; and the wonderful food. Our hats are off to you, Don! I think we have only an inkling of the time that goes into organizing Duck, and we want to thank you for all of the work that you put into it. it was a phenomenal time. Thank you for including us! we're looking forward to future Ducks.
~Teceta Tormala (6/13/2007)
I just wanted to thank you again for all the hard work you put into organizing Duck. It definitely paid off--we all enjoyed ourselves very much. It was great to hear about everyone's research and also have time for more informal talking, hanging around, and visiting the beach. Perfect combination. I feel lucky to have had the chance to attend. Thanks!
~Lisa Libby (6/11/2007)
Thank you so much for organizing Duck and for including me. I am a shy person so I really appreciated how you encouraged the group to be friendly and inclusive - I met some great people! I can only imagine how much work it must have been for you to figure all this out - so thank you!!
~Beth Marsh (6/11//2007)
I did want to thank you for inviting me to Duck. As a post-doc, and particularly as a post-doc at a business school, it is easy to feel a little detached from the greater world of social psychology. The week at Duck reminded me of why I entered this field, and how rewarding it can be to have colleagues who are interested in the same questions and have the same approach to those questions as I do. Truly, I came back from the conference with my research engine fully revitalized.
Of course, the social aspects were excellent. Whatever your vetting process, it is obviously a good one. That, and your careful consideration of cooking/cleaning teams, dinner teams, housing...all of it created the perfect environment for making new friends, and also for being impressed by them.
~Cami Johnson (6/26/2006)
I had a good eight hours to process everything about the conference on my way home on Saturday. I came to the conclusion that the simple verbal thanks that I expressed on Friday doesn't even come close to why the conference was such a success. . . .so here are some more points/testimonials:
1. I hate asking questions during Q & A after a talk because I worry about how I will come off. Furthermore, I can be kind of shy in new settings. The informal format with repeated exposure to everyone gave frequent opportunities to ask questions more privately. I know that I would not have gotten the feedback that I got without the informal interactions with the other Duckees; in addition, I know that I processed the talks a little deeper because I got to spend more time with the researchers (and asked a lot of questions!).
2. Relatedly, I think the way in which the dinner and cleanup was organized is brilliant. I truly appreciate how much time and care that you took to organize small groups and for putting people together for dinner one night each day . . . I especially liked applying all our social psychology to our poor waitress performance . . . I am sure that I will use that example (names removed) in social when I teach it in the fall.
3. As a faculty member at a teaching university, making contacts outside of my institution is critical for my success . . . the friends that I have made this last week are essential for keeping me on task with my research (instead of getting bogged down by service and teaching demands). Thus, the conference has broadened my scope.
I will be thinking of Duck for a long time to come . . . thank you.
~Elizabeth Haines (6/13/2006)
I wanted to send you a letter of thanks for all of the work you put into organizing the Duck Conference. I was excited to get an invitation and I enjoyed the experience quite a bit. However, it is hard to adjust to "normal" life - no laying out on the beach, swimming in the ocean, pool volleyball, great food, good talks on interesting research, etc. Oh well, I guess you can't always live the good life. Thanks for giving me a week of it.
~BJ Rydell (6/13/2006)
Notes from Returning Duckees
Hands down the best conference there is.
~Brian Nosek (1/27/24)
Duck is and continues to be the very best conference I have ever been to or could imagine. Every time I attend, I come away with new ideas, exciting collaborations and deepened friendships. It must be experienced to be believed!
~April Smith (1/26/24)
Duck holds a special place in my heart; it's where I've both met and deepened friendships with colleagues in the field, had stimulating conversations about research ideas, social psych, and life in general while sharing delicious meals, being outdoors, playing pool volleyball, sharing lots of laughs, and just spending quality time with amazing colleagues in the field. Such a warm, welcoming, fun, engaging group of people to be around for a week who inspire me professionally and personally. Thanks for all that you've done (and continue to do) to make Duck such a memorable experience for all of us!
~Lora Park (1/26/24)
Thanks, don, as always for your excellent work in making Duck so amazing! Another great year, and I hope you feel deservedly proud (of this year, and of Duck in totality). I thought the new duckies were, well ducky -- to a person. Again, thanks for organizing a great conference!
~Allen McConnell (6/14/12)
I hope your travels home were smooth and that you are settling well into life post-Duck. I find that re-entry is a bit rough, returning from such a wonderful place, a week filled with intense intellectual stimulation and the development of existing and new friendships. Thank you so much for including me in the group; it was again an amazing experience and I am so honored to be part of the group.
I was reflecting today on my return from Duck last year and how profoundly I feel that my inclusion in this group has affected my own development as a social cognition researcher. Thank you, thank you for this experience.
~Abby Scholer (6/14/12)
I just wanted to respond to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Duck this year, and wanted to thank you again for your tireless efforts in maintaining one of the best traditions in the field. Duck is a wonderful combination of innovation/cutting edge research with tradition & history. It's too easy to lose historical perspective in what we do, and Duck has this wonderful way of connecting all of us back to the beginnings of social cognition while promoting what is new and exciting now. I very much appreciate your kindness in including me a second time... it was a real pleasure to be part of Duck this year.
~Ken Fujita (6/22/11)
Don has spent years building a network of social psychologists who do work in, and adjacent to, social cognition in his organizing of the Duck Conference, and he goes out of his way to make sure that scholars from different sub-disciplines, career stages, backgrounds, and identities are represented and feel welcome in these spaces. Don has always made me feel welcomed and supported and has created opportunities for me to connect with other scholars and contribute research ideas to the field. These opportunities have meant the world to me as an early career researcher.
Yuthika Girme (1/29/24)
As always, we had an amazing time at Duck - so many good ideas, good times, & good food. I know it is a ton of work for you each year, and I hope you know how much we all appreciate it.
~Amanda Diekman (6/14/2006)
Today marks my first day back to work in the real world -- you know, a world that isn't dominated by pool volleyball and gourmet meals prepared by Nick Rule. As usual, re-acclimating myself to this world is taking time. Thank you again for all your efforts in putting together yet another wonderful week on the beach. I always have a great time at Duck, and this year was no exception. In fact, I thought this year's flock of Duckees was among the best I've been a part of. The talks were fantastic, as were the meals, the socializing, and, of course, the pool volleyball.
~Andy Todd (6/5/2017)
Just wanted to say thanks for inviting me to Duck again this year. It was both very edifying and a lot of fun. As always, the best conference of the year, bar none.
~ Anonymity requested to avoid alienating other conferences
