Connecting
Face-to-face or online interactions — is one really better than the other?
While much of the language people use implies that face-to-face is “superior,” I’ve learned that neither is a universal truth. It’s about circumstance, intention, and the people involved.
In my role as an international guidance counsellor, the online space was invaluable. It let me cross borders and connect with universities and alumni around the globe with ease. 🌐 That appreciation for online connection proved especially meaningful when I became mostly housebound in 2024. Far from shrinking my world, it expanded it. Online introductions—rich in collaboration, friendship, and opportunity—became my norm, and some have grown into chapters of possibility I could never have imagined through in-person-only terms. 🤝
One connection in particular resulted in co-writing a chapter for “How to Organise Inclusive Conferences and Workshops”, a fantastic edited collection by William E. Donald. This collaboration was done entirely online, between people I’d never met face-to-face: Behnam Soltani and Dr. Maria Tresita Paul Vincent, FHEA. They all became part of my journey through screens, and that digital collaboration opened doors I didn’t know I could walk through: a published chapter, a meaningful partnership, and a true sense of belonging. 🚀
Just recently, I travelled to Singapore and met Behnam Soltani in person as we continue to work together co-authoring another chapter with Dr. Maria Tresita Paul Vincent, FHEA, for another amazing edited collection by William E. Donald. The moment was a beautiful reminder: online connections can lead to real-world impact, growth, and shared purpose. 🌏 Thank you, Behnam, for hosting me at the fantastic SiT and showing me around the amazing campus – another great example of biophilic architecture. 🌳
If you’re navigating a transition from in-person to online due to distance or circumstance, or if you simply favour online spaces, rest assured that online networking can yield just as high-quality collaborations as in-person ones. 🚀 There’s no universal truth—the key is embracing what works for you.
By immersing myself in online communities, I created a life that’s abundant, authentic, and exciting. You can experience this too—one connection at a time. ✨
hashtag#HumanInclusion hashtag#NetworkingEffectiveness hashtag#BiophilicDesign
Image Description:
Ruth has red hair, purple glasses and is rocking a red jumpsuit. Behnam is wearing dark glasses and a crisp white shirt. The backdrop is the beautiful campus of the Singapore Institute of Technology, which combines modern architecture and nature by design. Like the city itself, SiT is a campus in a garden, not just gardens in a campus.
