The 11th LSRN National Research Event

[Background] [Linked Seminar] [Programme] [Participation and Registration] [Registration Process] [About LSRN]

The LSRN 2011 national research event is supported by Edexcel, NIACE, CSD, LSIS and IfL.

Background

This year’s LSRN national research event will be hosted by Edexcel in the prestigious Shell Building at 80 The Strand, London.

This participative event focuses on key issues in policy and practice in the learning and skills sector.

The four themes to be addressed during the day are:

• colleges in their communities
• measuring what matters
• higher education in further education institutions
• identity and professionalism.

For each theme one of our supporting member organisations has, in conjunction with LSRN, posed a question or issue to stimulate discussion.

Speakers will address each theme and raise questions for round table discussion groups who will then propose a way forward. We hope this participative approach will provide a fresh look at some of the challenges that face our sector and offer ways forward based on research evidence and the professional experience of the participants. Places will be limited so book early!

Top of Page

_______________________________

Linked Seminar

A linked international seminar will be held the following day (Friday 25 November) at 80 The Strand, organised by SRHE in collaboration with LSRN and Edexcel. Members of this group will also be contributing on Thursday 24 November.  Further information is available via the SRHE website: http://www.srhe.ac.uk/events.asp

Top of Page

_______________________________

Programme

* Note There will be two parallel round tables for each theme, i.e. 4 groups (of up to 25 people) in each round table session.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Participation and Registration

Registration for the event is online – see registration process below.

The focus of the day is to work together to share our experience as practitioners and researchers to explore issues facing the learning and skills sector and to work for improvement.

It is a full-day working and learning event and not for those who want to ‘drop in and out’. Every attendee is a contributor, bringing their experience of practice and research to bear on the discussions. The venue limits us to a total of 80 applicants so please only apply for a place if you wish to attend the full event.

After short plenary presentations on each theme, there will be round table discussions supported by brief inputs from 4 or 5 pre-selected researchers and practitioners. The main aim of the discussion groups will be to identify evidence-based responses to the questions posed by the speakers.

In the registration process you are invited to advise the organisers whether you wish to make a formal input, but there is no requirement to do so and many attendees will contribute their evidence and opinions through the free discussion. You are asked to select two of the four themes (one for the morning and one for the afternoon) and to outline your experience and interests in relation to the question under discussion.

By participating in the event, you will be able to demonstrate your involvement in research engagement and continuous professional development to your institution. LSRN will be compiling a Directory of participants which you can use as evidence of this activity and a certificate of attendance will be available.

There will be an opportunity for up to 32 participants to make a formal input (of about 5 minutes) to one of eight round table discussions. This might for example be:

• an outline of an issue for which research knowledge is needed
• a proposed methodology to address the question
• a summary of research done/being done in a relevant area
• outcomes of an evidence-based initiative in the sector – in this country or elsewhere
• a brief overview of relevant literature which can help inform the discussion.

All these formal contributors will be asked to provide documentation for the Event Directory which will be available in advance.

If you wish to make a formal input, please provide a short outline of your proposed 5 minute presentation on the topic covering the source of your evidence/experience and the main points you wish to make.  (Please refer to the guidelines in the 'Registration Process' and the ‘Proposal to make a formal input’).

IMPORTANT NOTE
Because the format of the annual event has changed and the emphasis is on collective exploration of issues, rather than making conference presentations, there is no ‘call for contributions’ prior to registration for the event. You will need to complete your registration at the same time as responding to the invitation to make a formal input.

   Top of Page

_______________________________

Registration process

Registration is online through Events Management Live – please scroll up, click APPLY NOW and follow the registration/reservation process.

Places at the conference are limited and registration will not be possible after the conference is full. Registrations must be completed by Tuesday 22 November at the latest, but registration will only be possible while places remain available.

When completing the online registration/reservation process, you will be asked to indicate your preference for the morning or afternoon themes as set out below. (Please note that numbers in each group are limited to 25 in total due to room sizes and places will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served basis’.)

Morning session
A Colleges in their communities
B Measuring what matters

Afternoon session
C Higher education in further education institutions
D Identity and professionalism

You be asked to briefly outline your interest in the topic and describe any relevant practitioner experience and/or research into the topic.

You will also be asked whether you wish to make a formal input into a round table discussion. If so, you will be directed to complete the questions. If not, you will be directed to continue with the registration process and to complete the method of payment section. 

Proposal  to make a formal input
Proposals must be received by Monday 26 September but, as above, please note submissions cannot be accepted after the conference is full.  Up to four contributions to each discussion group will be selected by an LSRN panel in the week of Monday 3 October.

There will be two discussion groups for each theme taking place simultaneously.  If you are interested in making a presentation on a topic in both morning and afternoon sessions you will be asked to indicate this by completing the two sections.  If you work with one or two colleagues who may wish to make an input on the other topic which is taking place simultaneously with yours, you will be directed to complete the relevant section.  This information is to alert the LSRN panel of their possible interest.  Your colleagues will need to individually complete the entire registration/reservation process to apply for their places on the event. 

Please note that as part of the online registration process (which includes the submission to make a formal input), you will be asked to confirm the method of payment for your conference fee. If you select payment by cheque, a place will not be allocated to you until the cheque is received. Please scroll up, click APPLY NOW and follow the registration/reservation process.

Top of Page

_______________________________

About the LSRN

The Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN) began in 1997 and works collaboratively with multiple partner organisations in England and Northern Ireland. It brings together people involved in producing and making use of research in the learning and skills sector and higher education and provides a welcoming atmosphere for those new to research.

Conferences and meetings are held and projects undertaken in some regions.

A national planning group is developing coherence across the network. In pursuing its purpose, the network places particular value on:

An inclusive approach which:

• recognises the variety of relevant methods and topics
• involves participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including practitioners, researchers, developers, managers and policymakers
• identifies the specific role of practitioners and others in evaluating and implementing findings.

Applying research to the concerns of practice and policy by:

• encouraging reviews of existing knowledge before new research is undertaken
• distilling and communicating key messages in appropriate ways for different audiences.

Addressing capacity by: 

• building practitioner training into projects
• encouraging engagement with research through professional development activity
• demonstrating the value of research and development to budget holders
• maximising connections between regional groups. 

  For further details look up:  http://www.lsrn.org.uk

Top of Page

_______________________________