Against the backdrop of the spectacular Vancouver Harbour, the AERA 2012 proceedings unfolded. Picture courtesy of Angi Shelton  My schedule was very full and so, regrettably, I had limited opportunity to take in the magnificent sights, sounds and tastes of Vancouver. However, I can attest that what I saw this time around – I was in Vancouver in 2007 — was an improved Vancouver; cleaner, with a subway. My reflections that follow on AERA 2012 are attempts to think of how future conferences can be improved and what I take…