This was not my first visit to the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), and that familiarity is precisely what made my time there as a Residential Fellow so special. During my PhD, I spent three months at the IAS under the supervision of its former Director, Professor Marsha Meskimmon. Since that research stay, almost three years ago now, I have remembered the IAS as a welcoming and generous place (rain notwithstanding), where I felt truly at home and where outstanding scholars offered invaluable advice and unwavering support. Returning this time, I was delighted to find that nothing had changed.

On this second visit, I had the pleasure of meeting more inspiring researchers (and nice colleagues), including Professor Ruth Kinna and Dr Alex Christoyannopoulos, both members of the Anarchist Research Group, as well as reconnecting with others such as Professor Hilary Robinson, also from the Department of International Relations, Politics and History. Throughout my stay, the IAS once again proved to be a stimulating and pleasant place to work. It was also a space for sharing ideas, cat anecdotes and delicious homemade cakes. Laura, Lynda, Connor, Kieran, Ksenia, Yajie and the other doctoral leaders form an exceptional team, and the mutual admiration and easy collaboration between them are palpable.

As part of my visit, I led a PGR workshop in which MA and PhD students from a wide range of disciplines reflected with me on the methodological biases present in research on women artists. However, I remember with particular fondness the public lecture I delivered on my research into Lu Märten, Hannah Höch and Rosa Luxemburg. The support offered by the IAS team, the openness and respect shown during the Q&A, and the thoughtful feedback that followed all contributed to an experience that I left with a genuine sense of fulfilment.

My final encounter at the IAS, this time as a member of the audience, was an engaging seminar addressing the challenges of freedom of expression and censorship in the current climate of militarisation. It was a fitting conclusion to a stay that, once again, reaffirmed the IAS as a place of intellectual generosity, critical engagement and warmth.

I hope to be able to return soon, this time with my cat!

Dr Andrea Pérez-Fernández