The 12th LSRN National Research Event

[Background] [Aims] [Outcomes] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

The LSRN 2012 national research event is supported by Pearson College, NIACE, LSIS, IfL and City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development.

The City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development is a not for profit research and development body for vocational education and training.  We work to influence and improve skills policy and practice through an evidence-based approach.  We are part of the City & Guilds Group.

Background 

This year's Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN) National Research Event will again be hosted by Pearson College in the prestigious Shell Building at 80 The Strand, London and sponsored by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, the Institute for Learning, City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.

This participative event focuses on key issues in policy and practice in the learning and skills sector.  We are maintaining the new format of last year's event which was welcomed enthusiastically as offering a chance to evaluate research evidence and ways forward by applying the professional experience of the participants.

This year two inter-related themes will be addressed during the day reflecting key developments in the sector and government reviews:

• Professionalism
• Vocational Teaching and Learning

In the morning, Dame Ruth Silver DBE, Chair of LSIS Council will address the policy context in which Professionalism is being examined in the Learning and Skills sector and Professor Yvonne Hillier of the Education Research Centre, School of Education, University of Brighton will provide an overview of the research evidence.

In the afternoon, Tom Wilson, a member of the Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning (CAVTL) headed by Frank McLoughlin CBE and Principal of City and Islington College, will set out the issues and questions being addressed by the Commission and Professor Bill Lucas, Co-Director of the Centre for Real World Learning and Professor of Learning at the University of Winchester will look at research evidence arguing for the distinctiveness of vocational pedagogy.

Due to the generosity of our sponsoring organisations, we are able to make available a limited number of fee and/or travel bursaries this year. Those meeting the criterion (see Event Information section below) can apply for a bursary through the online application process by 21 October.

Linked seminar
A linked seminar will be held the previous day, Thursday 8 November, from 2pm to 4pm at SRHE, 73 Collier Street, London N1 9BE and organised by SRHE in collaboration with LSRN and BERA. Members of this group will also be contributing on Friday 9 November.  The seminar is titled:  'Progression and transitions - more than university and A levels'. Details available at:
http://www.srhe.ac.uk/events/details.asp?eid=61

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; and
• 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; and
• 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; and
• maximising connections between regional groups. 

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Aims 

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. 

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Outcomes 

Participants will be able to take from the event evidence and ideas to inform practice in their institutions or to support research and development.

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 compile a Directory of contributors which you can use as evidence of this activity and a certificate of attendance will be available. 
[LSRN-Event-Directory1.pdf]

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 Audience 

The event will be of interest to practitioners working in the learning and skills sector as managers, teachers and support staff as well as to those doing research in and about the sector. 

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Programme 

In two plenary sessions in the morning and the afternoon keynote speakers will address the following two themes and will critically survey the evidence available and required. They will raise questions for round table discussion groups who will then propose a way forward for the speakers' consideration and comment.

Theme 1: What makes a successful professional and how can professionalism be facilitated in the learning and skills sector?

Theme 2: What are the most important aspects of vocational and adult education for which research evidence is needed and what evidence is currently available?

There will be an opportunity for participants to indicate in advance that they would like to make a brief prepared input to one of the round table discussions.  If you wish to make a prepared input, you will be asked to flag this up during the application process and to 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.

Inputs from new researchers are particularly welcome.  If you would like advice on what is involved and how you might contribute before making a commitment please contact Anne Thompson, member of the Event Planning Group: anne.thompson20@btinternet.com

The day will end with a panel of four researcher-practitioners from the learning and skills sector who will provide a commentary on the evidence offered during the day and its application to practice.

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 Event Information

• Arrival, registration and security checks are from 9:15am for a 10:00am start.
• It will be necessary to obtain a security pass to enter the building from the ground floor foyer (Strand entrance). Then take the lift to the 10^th floor where event registration and distribution of delegate name badges and packs will take place. Please arrive by 9.30 to allow time for this.
• Event fee per person:
  £25 bursary fee available (until 21 October 2012 - and are subject to availability) through the online application process for practitioners in the learning and skills sector who have been unable to obtain institutional support for the payment of the event fee and/or travel expenses. Consideration will be given for those not employed but registered for an MA or research degree.  All applicants for bursary places will be notified of the outcome four working days after the online application is received.
  £69 full fee.
  (the fee includes lunch, and refreshments on arrival and during the day).
• Travel bursary
  Delegates meeting the criterion for a bursary fee, can apply for a travel bursary up to a maximum of £100 through the online application process. Travel expense claims, with supporting travel receipts, can be made only after the research event through completion of the NIACE non-staff expense claim form distributed along with the joining instructions. Expense claim forms will need to be submitted by 23 November 2012.
• NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference fees.
• Only online application forms with the payments section completed will be processed.
• NB: If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed. The bursary fee of £25 is required to be paid in full at the time of application by credit card or cheque made payable to NIACE and posted to:
  NIACE Events Team, Chetwynd House, 21 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE.
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed online application forms (one online application form per person).
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts.
• An Event Directory will be distributed to participants which includes background information on all presenters and their work.
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

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Application Conditions 

• Event date: Friday 9 November 2012
• Closing date: Thursday 1 November 2012
• Cancellations are non-refundable
• The full fee is payable prior to the event
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list.

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