9 July 2018
The British Educational Research Association (BERA), which is set to host its 2018 annual conference in NewcastleGateshead, has announced its exciting programme and line-up of key speakers for the event – the largest conference of its kind in the UK.
Following events in Leeds (2016) and Brighton (2017), BERA will bring over 700 delegates to this year’s NewcastleGateshead event, which will be held at Northumbria University from 11 – 13 September. The global conference will welcome speakers from Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Chile and Singapore.
The annual conference brings together educational researchers, practitioners and enthusiasts from across the UK and internationally to present new research, debate key issues and network with one another to further develop their research interests.
The conference’s eclectic programme will see a host of topical presentations around educational research and curriculum development, including sessions looking at: ‘Re-engaging underachieving male students through an after-school, sports-based life skills programme’; ‘Fostering social inclusion of people with learning disabilities through football fandom’; ‘Lesbians don’t become Headteachers: How do LGBTQI teachers experience their school communities?’ and ‘Improving the mental health and resilience of children and young people: Baselining a longitudinal study with schools’.
Keynote speakers will include Professor Paul Miller of the University of Huddersfield – the first black academic to be appointed to a Professorship in Educational Leadership and Management at a British University – whose research interests and expertise include: race and educational leadership, teacher migration and race, teacher migration and identity and teacher progression. Professor Sue Dockett of Charles Sturt University (Australia), Professor Lindsay Paterson of University of Edinburgh, and Professor Carol Vincent of UCL Institute of Education together complete the high-profile line-up
Delegates will be welcomed to the city on the evening of 11 September at Northumbria University’s Business and Law Building, while a gala dinner will take place in one of NewcastleGateshead’s grandest Georgian venues, The Assembly Rooms, on the evening of 12 September.
Dominic Wyse, Conference and Events Committee Chair at BERA, said: “We are delighted that Newcastle will host this ‘must-do’ event of the educational research community’s year. With such a vibrant atmosphere, exceptional hospitality, inspiring heritage and a unique friendliness, the city was a perfect choice for the 2018 conference.
“The city of Newcastle is also personal to me, as both my son and daughter have studied at the city’s two universities, so as a frequent visitor I know it has so much to offer our attendees who are guaranteed a memorable experience.”
Paul Szomoru, Director of Business Events at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “The launch of the BERA Conference 2018’s programme has revealed some exciting topics which are at the forefront of the education research field worldwide. Speakers are flying in from universities across the globe, and we also have some great local representation with speakers from Northumbria University, Newcastle University and University of Sunderland included on the line-up too. Conferences such as these have a significant impact on our local research eco-system, bringing expertise and knowledge sharing into the city.
“We are looking forward to giving a warm welcome to BERA speakers and delegates when they arrive in September.”
Several fringe events have also been confirmed, with the conference preceded by the BERA Annual General Meeting 2018, as well as the BERA Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy Invisible College 2018 event, which both take place at The County Hotel on the 10 September prior to the main conference programme.
After the main conference draws to a close, Newcastle University will host ‘The Impact of Policy on Leadership Practice: Growing a Research Agenda (IPLPR)’ on 13 – 14 September, with the aim to gain a clearer direction regarding a timely, relevant and collaborative research agenda for educational leadership.
BERA is a member-led charity that exists to encourage educational research and its application for the improvement of practice and public benefit. BERA has expanded into an internationally renowned association with UK and non-UK based members.