ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Thematic Forum_forming alliances

Aaron Benavot, the Director of the GMR Team based in UNESCO Paris will introduce the 2015 Report, There will be responses from DFID, the UK research community and an international NGO. Opportunities will exist to debate the Report. The second part of the event will be to look forward to post 2015 education and development frameworks.

A more detailed programme will be issued shortly. The will be available at the launch.

Admission is free but places are limited.

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ 2014 Conference – Power Politics and Priorities

Sunday 7 September

16:00 – 20:00 Registration Open, arrival and accommodation support

Monday 8 September

09:00 – 11:00 Registration and arrival (Coffee available from 10:30)
11:00 – 12:30 Opening Plenary: The Power and Politics of International Comparisons

Panel Convenors: Prof. Michael Crossley &Angeline M. Barrett
Panelists: Sotira Grek, Prof. Paul Morris, Jennifer Cheung, Prof. Pauline Rose, Simone Bloem, Prof. Hugh Lauder.

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Parallel Session 1
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee
15:30 – 17:00 Parallel Session 2
17:00 – 18:00 UKFIET Annual General Meeting
18:00 – 19:00 Dinner (Claverton Rooms – University of Bath)
19:45 – 20:00 Coaches to Roman Baths
20:00 – 21:00 Dessert and Drinks (Roman Baths)

Tuesday 9 September

9:00 – 10:30 Parallel Session 3
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee
11:00 – 12:30 Parallel Session 4
Meet the editors panel discussion
12:30 – 13:45 Lunch
13:45 – 15:00 ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Presidential Address – Conjunctions of Power and Comparative Education by Prof. Roger Dale
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee
15:30 – 17:00 Parallel Session 5
17:00 – 18:00 ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ AGM
18:00 – 19:00 Compare Editorial Board Meeting
Student Drinks Reception
Book Launch: Education and International Development: An Introduction by Tristan McCowan and Prof. Elaine Unterhalter

19:00 – 22:00 Gala Dinner (Claverton Rooms – University of Bath)

Wednesday 10 September

9:00 – 10:30 Parallel Session 6
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee
11:00 – 12:30 Plenary: Quality Early Childhood Care &Education- An Imperative for Fostering Equity &Inclusion by Renu Singh
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Parallel Session 7
15:00 – 15:15 Coffee

The Education, Disability and Development ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Thematic Forum announces its next seminar:

“Education for social justice: framing an agenda for disability research and action in the Global South”

To be held on 6th (Friday) June 2014 at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.

Our three keynote presenters

• Professor Pauline Rose, Chair in International Education and Development, University of Cambridge. Pauline will provide insights from her experience as Chair of the UNESCO Global Monitoring Reports highlighting gaps and opportunities in disability research from a mainstream perspective.
• Professor Richard Rose, University of Northampton. The focus of Richard’s talk will be: Researchers as Learners: Seeking Respectful Partnerships in International Contexts.
• Professor Helen Penn, University of East London. The focus of Helen’s talk will be: The role of INGOs in contributing to inclusion and exclusion policies.

Call for presentations and posters

In addition to the above we are also inviting presentations for a panel session (these will be short 10 minute presentations) and posters (paper or electronic ones). If you would like to present in either of these two formats then please get in touch with the title of the presentation or poster- please note that these should respond to the theme of the seminar. The deadline for submissions is 1st of May.

Registration

We look forward to welcoming you to this event. As always, this is a free event, but registration in essential. Please let us know if you would like to attend by the 15th of May 2014.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any additional information: Nidhi—sn241@cam.ac.uk and Paul—p.lynch@bham.ac.uk

On Monday, 24 February, the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Thematic Forum on Revisiting Insider-Outsider Perspectives in International and Comparative Education held its third event in the form of a day conference and book publication workshop at the University of Bristol, hosted by the Research Centre for International and Comparative Studies. This was a successful and well attended event in two parts, which followed the format of the Programme found below. Attendees included twenty four colleagues from the universities of Plymouth, Exeter, Roehampton, East Anglia, Sussex, the Open University and Bristol. Two additional colleagues joined us on Skype from Mauritius and Brazil, and a further three colleagues (from the Universities of Sussex and East London and Suan Dusit Rajabhat) sent us abstracts for proposed chapters.

The day started with an introduction to the past work of the Forum from Professor Michael Crossley, and a discussion of the developing theoretical thinking of the group from Dr Lore Arthur and Dr Elizabeth McNess, based on the paper recently published in Compare.Ìý Professor Anna Robinson-Pant then gave an excellent keynote entitled, Exploring the concept of outsider/insider in international and comparative research: essentialising culture or culturally essential?Ìý This challenged the group to think again about these terms and the usefulness with which they can be applied in the new research landscape.Ìý Anna used examples from her own research to illustrate the points she was making.Ìý The floor was then open for a lively and interesting discussion.

After lunch, a smaller group of twelve participants continued to work on ideas for the proposed book which is planned as the main output of the Forum.Ìý This was a very productive meeting for expanding our discussions on the theme and towards the development of ideas towards the publication.

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Insider Outsider Perspectives BTF 2014 Day Conference and Book Publication Workshop progamme

The ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Thematic Forum (BTF) Revisiting Insider/Outsider Perspectives in International and Comparative Education announces a Day Conference and Book Publication Workshop in conjunction with the , University of Bristol.

Day Conference and Book Publication Workshop

Monday 24^th February 2014

Room 410, Graduate School of Education, University of Bristol

35 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1JA

This day builds on an initial workshop held at the University of Bristol in February 2011 and a subsequent Symposium of related work presented at the 2012 ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ conference in Cambridge. Since the launch of the BTF, those involved have also been engaged in various presentations held at the Universities of Durham, Sussex, Bristol and the Institute of Education in London to publicise the Forum and engage fellow researchers in its work.

The Day Conference in February will be in two parts. The morning session will consist of an update on activities of the BTF and a keynote presentation from Professor Anna Robinson-Pant, Centre for Applied Research in Education, University of East Anglia, entitled Exploring the concept of outsider/insider in international and comparative research: essentialising culture or culturally essential?

The afternoon will give us the opportunity to focus on the major output of the Forum which will be an edited book addressing contemporary themes of insider/outsiderness in comparative education studies. Chapters in the book could include perspectives from a theoretical, methodological, biographical, cultural, linguistic, sociological or philosophical point of view and we would encourage participants to give some thought to possible contributions.Ìý It would be helpful if you could bring a title and short abstract (approx. 200 words) of proposed contributions with you, so that we can discuss them at the Roundtable session. The book will be peer reviewed and a timeline for deadlines for those wishing to contribute, together with an expected publication date will be discussed at the end of the afternoon.

Full event details and online registration.

• Politics, methodologies and international comparisons
• Internationalising curricula and contexts
• Language, identity and ideology
• Conflict and ideas of justice
• Human development and education for all
• Skills in the global political economy
• The transformation of global governance

Conference highlights include:

• Presidential keynote address by Professor Roger Dale
• Private drinks reception in the historic Roman Baths
• “Meet the editor” session with editors of leading journals
• Gala dinner with live music
• Student drinks reception

The conference will be held at the University of Bath in the Chancellors’ Building, a state of the art teaching and learning facility that was completed in 2013.

Accommodation

Accommodation is offered on campus at the University’s halls of residence. Three tiers of accommodation are offered to meet the needs of delegates on any budget. Click on the links below for more information on each type of accommodation:

(Larger ensuite with breakfast): £50.00 per night

(Shared bathroom with breakfast): £25.00 per night

Parking is available for £5 for the duration of the conference.Ìý

Fees and Registration

via the University of Bath online store.

Early Bird Rates (Until 31 May 2014)
Students: £260 (£230 for ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ members)
Full Rate: £300 (£270 for ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ members)
Daily Delegate £150

Standard Rates (From 1st June 2014)
Students: £290 (£260 for ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ members)
Full Rate: £330 (£300 for ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ members)
Daily Delegate: £150

Membership must be active at the time of the conference to receive the membership discount. Non-members can find out how to join ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ here.

Travel Information

The University of Bath is easily accessible by rail, coach, air and car.

Getting to Bath

From London (Heathrow) Airport: It is possible to travel to Bath from Heathrow by rail or coach.  Rail service is through connection at London Paddington: take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington (15 minutes) and then a connecting train to Bath Spa station. Tickets can be purchased at from the be sure to book in advance for the best prices.

From London (Gatwick) Airport:  Rail is the best option. The journey takes approximately 2 hours with a connection in Reading. Tickets can be purchased at , be sure to book in advance for the best prices.

From London (including Stansted and Luton Airports): Travel by rail or coach to central London, and take the tube to Paddington station.  Follow directions for rail transport below.

From Bristol Airport: The A4 bus service runs from Bristol airport to Bath, direct and takes approximately one hour. It leaves Bath on the hour and Bristol airport at half past the hour. Return tickets are £17 for full fare and £15 for students. More information is available from the .

By Rail: Trains run to London Paddington every 30 minutes and take 90 minutes. Tickets are usually cheaper if bought in advance and considerably cheaper in off-peak times. For fares and times consult the .

By Coach: Coach (long distance bus) is the most economical way to reach Bath. Tickets can be bought at , with some tickets available for under £10.

By Car: Bath can be reached from the M4 Junction 18. Delegates should proceed to the East Car Park (see map here), parking permits will be available for purchase on the day of arrival for £5 for the entire conference. Satnav users can enter the postcode BA2 7PA for directions to the East Car Park.

Getting to the University

The University can easily be reached by bus or taxi from the city centre.

By Bus: Catch the 18 or U18 bus service from the city centre. Bus stops are directly opposite the bus stations (to your left when leaving the train station) as indicated on the map below. Buses run approximately every 10 minutes on Monday to Saturday and every twenty minutes on Sunday, fares start from £3.00 for an all-day pass.

By Taxi: Taxis are available directly outside the Bath Spa rail station, which is a short walk from the bus station (see arrival map). Alternatively, Abbey Taxis (01225 444 444) provide a convenient taxi service. Fares from the city centre to the University cost approximately £10.

Conference Sub-Themes

The conference organizers welcome papers on any topic relating to comparative and international education, including but not limited to empirical research, single country case studies, policy analysis, synthetic analysis, theory, and work from related fields such as international development studies and youth studies.

Politics, methodologies and international comparisons

Elizabeth McNess, Michael Crossley and  Lizzi Milligan (University of Bristol)

Over the last ten years there has been a growing tendency for both national governments and international agencies, such as the World Bank and UNESCO, to use large scale data sets from cross-national comparisons in studies, such as TIMMS and PISA, to benchmark and normalise school system performance.  This has brought new challenges and opportunities for international and comparative research in education.  This sub-theme will explore the potential and difficulties of using cross-national comparison on pupil performance to inform educational policy making. Papers are invited that reflect on these trends in terms of methodological advances, in both quantitative and qualitative methods, which may enable alternative political, sociological, epistemological and ethical perspectives to be explored.

Internationalising Curricula and Contexts

Mary Hayden and Jeff Thompson (University of Bath)

One dimension of the rapidly changing context for education internationally is the challenge to the traditional notion of education as a national commodity. Prompted by increasing global mobility of professional families, the development of international schools catering for expatriate children provided the context in the mid 20^th century for the creation of the first international curriculum programmes, which also responded to a post-war ideological concern for the promotion of what might be described as ‘international mindedness’. The number of international programmes continues to grow, while more corporate forms of international schools are rapidly emerging, and both are increasingly being adopted within national contexts by socio-economic elites. At the same time, national education systems in some contexts are increasingly developing international dimensions, with a growing focus on what might be described as global citizenship. This sub-theme will debate issues relating particularly to school-level education, international curricula, international schools and the internationalisation of education within national contexts.

Transcultural Identities:   Language and power in internationalised education

Trevor Grimshaw (University of Bath) and Sheila Trahar (University of Bristol)

In diverse contexts the content of curricula is increasingly taught through the medium of an international language. This has long been the case in many postcolonial contexts. But for many parents an ‘international’ primary or secondary education is nowadays synonymous with instruction in English. Meanwhile, universities in non-Anglophone countries are increasingly offering English-medium degree programmes in a range of subjects. This raises issues of crucial importance in terms of language, ideology and cultural identity. For example, when subjects such as mathematics, science and technology are taught in an international language, what associations do students form between the message and the medium? Conversely, when subjects such as art and history are taught through a minority language, does this lead students to perceive that language as being connected with tradition and heritage rather than modernity? Moreover, when students are instructed in a medium that is not their mother tongue, how does this shape the perception and construction of their own identities?

This sub-theme invites research papers that offer critical and illuminative explorations of the use of international languages as academic lingua franca and other issues relating to language and power in education. Possible topics for submission include but are not limited to: the dominance of English scientific and academic terminology, the links between language policy and the hidden curriculum, and the role of ‘minority’ languages in a globalised educational context. We are particularly interested in submissions that involve the use of innovative contemporary research methods.

Skills and Knowledge in the Global Political Economy

Hugh Lauder &Manuel Souto-Otero (University of Bath)

Many governments throughout the world are prioritising success in “the knowledge economy,” a strategy that places on particular emphasis education. Specifically, education is seen as essential to developing highly skilled labour in high-demand areas, which attracts well-paying jobs from multinational companies and increases national exports. However, the widespread adoption of educational policies oriented towards the knowledge economy has unintended consequences: as the supply of high-skilled labour increases, its value declines. With increased free trade around the world, multinational companies are then able to move labour around the world to wherever it can be performed at the lowest cost. This sub-theme invites papers that look critically at the concepts skills and the knowledge economy.

Patterns of Conflict and Ideas of Justice in Education

Julia Paulson (Bath Spa University) and Lindsay Horner (University of Bristol)

Conflict and justice have long been concerns of educationalists. However, these research agendas are largely separate within contemporary comparative and international education. A growing body of research is being produced around education and conflict, or education in emergencies, and scholars continue to explore relationships between education and justice, including by drawing on the ideas of Amartya Sen, exploring work in social justice, human rights, critical theory and by drawing on legal principles, including around transitional justice. This thematic group welcomes papers from scholars working on any of these (or other relevant) issues and seeks to open conversations and explore linkages between education, conflict and conceptions of justice.

New priorities and partnerships for Education for All: Childhood, youth and learning

Angeline M. Barrett (Bristol) and Rita Chawla-Duggan (Bath)

Work on children’s rights, capabilities and sustainability are expanding development agendas and notions of education quality. New development partners and modes of partnership are gaining strength. Within post-2015 debates, there is an emerging consensus that sustainable development goals and their associated targets should focus on the very poorest in society. The education goal looks set to target learning as well as participation and to go beyond the primary cycle to cover early child care and education, secondary education and skills, vocational or technical education. The 2013-2014 EFA Global Monitoring Report reflects the relationship between education and other development in its theme ‘Teaching and Learning for Development’. In the context of these new priorities and partnerships, papers in this sub-theme will address one or more of the following broad questions:

1. What do changing development politics, agendas, theories and goals mean for childhood, youth and learning post-2015?
2. How can new partnerships transform opportunities forÌýchildren and youth living in poverty?
3. What innovations and pedagogies improve teaching and learning for development?

The New Politics of Global Education Governance

Manuel Souto-Otero (University of Bath)

This sub-theme invites papers that address shifting policies for education within developing governance frameworks, which provide new opportunities for state and non-state actors. Key themes which could frame discussion in the light of attempts to map out new priorities for comparative and international education could be:

1. The New Politics of EducationÌýPolicy Agendas:Ìý the role and priorities of established and newly emerging national, regional and supranational institutions and actors in education policy and practice.
2. The New Governance of Education: developing governance architectures with the emergence of non-state, commercial and non-governmental institutions and actors in the funding, ownership and regulation of education activities at a range of scales.
3. Education and Power: the implications of private, not-for-profit, commercial and shadow education sectors for local and national education policy and practice.

Bursaries

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Bursaries are available to early career researchers, deadline 15 June. More information on how to apply.

Contact

For queries about registration, travel, visas, and anything else please contact Robin Shields at University of Bath (r.a.shields@bath.ac.uk)

Friday 7 June, 2013

University of Sussex

Postgraduate students were invited to take part in this conference that aims to raise student awareness of and participation in the debate on envisioning a post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) framework. The conference aimed to engage postgraduate researchers in communicating their views on current progress on the MDGs in relation to education.

Thirty two participants from six universities participated in the day conference, a synthesis of which will appear in the Special Issue of the Compare Forum on the post-2015 education and development agenda, to be released in December 2013.

The conference was jointly organized by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ and UKFIET, and was hosted by the University of Sussex Centre for International Education.

Conference materials

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ UKFIET student conference poster_07_05_13_SA

Report on ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ UKFIET student conference 11.07.13 for web.doc

Video Links:

• : ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Student Representatives, Sajjad Alhawsawi and Helen Hannah;UKFIET Conference Convenor, Terra Sprague
• , University of Sussex Centre for International Education: Professor Mairead Dunne
• , Education and the post-2015 development agenda: overview of the process, priorities and goals: Dr Yusuf Sayed, University of Sussex
• : Bridging the Gender Gap in Education in Mozambique: Francesca Salvi, University of Sussex. Followed by
• : Recent Developments for Minority Language Communities in Thailand: Katherine Dooley, University of Sussex. Followed by
• Developing goals and indicators for the enactment of sustainability-related values in education:Ìý Gemma Burford, University of Brighton. Followed by
• : A perspective on the post-2015 education agenda: Professor Keith Lewin, University of Sussex
• : Dr Yusuf Sayed, University of Sussex

 Monday, 9 September, 2013

Compare Writers’ Workshop

New College, 10:00 – 4:00

Wednesday 11 September, 2013

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Presidential Address by Professor Elaine Unterhalter

Main Conference Venue, Oxford University Exam Schools, 4:00 – 5:30

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ AGM

New College, Lecture Room 6, 6:00 – 7:30

Open Student Forum hosted by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½

New College, Room TBC, 8:30 – 9:30

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ offers a £30 registration reduction to its members. It is possible to register for one day only, should you wish to attend on Wednesday, the day of the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ activities, but are unable to attend the balance of the UKFIET Conference. You do not need to be registered for the conference in order to attend the Compare Writers’ Workshop, the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ AGM or the Open Student Forum at.

Education & Development Post 2015: Reflecting, Reviewing and Re-visioning

10-12 September, 2013

University of Oxford, UK

Tweet #ukfietconf

Do you want to publish your research in an academic journal?

Have you had your work rejected and wonder why?

Compare/ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ are offering a writing for publication programme for those in the field of educational research. The programme consists of an all day workshop, to be held in Oxford on September 9^th 2013, 10 am until 4pm, (immediately before the ), followed by individual mentoring by experienced peer reviewers for Compare. During the workshop, you will work on key features of academic journal articles, look at submitted and revised papers and have the chance to discuss the expectations and interests of Compare with the editors. Afterwards, each participant will be allocated an individual mentor to give follow-up advice and feedback on drafts of their work by email. The workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Theresa Lillis (Open University) and Dr. Anna Magyar (University of East Anglia), both with many years’ experience of teaching academic writing, in collaboration with Compare editors and editorial board members. This is a unique opportunity to receive individualised support with your writing and gain an insider perspective on publishing in Compare (a journal of comparative and international education).

To apply for a place at the workshop, you will need to have conducted educational research and have unpublished material or drafts of a paper that you would like to work on. Compare/ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ are sponsoring this workshop so there will only be a nominal booking fee of £20 to cover administration and materials. Participants will be expected to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements and pay for refreshments on the day.Ìý Numbers at the workshop will be limited to 20 participants.

If you would like to apply for a place at the workshop, please complete the form on the 2013 Compare Writers Workshop Flyer and send it with a booking fee of £20 to: Miriam McGregor, Compare Office, CARE, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ (Email for further enquiries: ku.ca.eciabobfsctd-2b2448@erapmoc). Please make cheques payable to ‘ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’. If you are based outside the UK and cannot offer advance payment in this way, do let us know and we can discuss alternate payment arrangements.

Two bursaries are now available from UNGEI, deadline 15 August.

As we have had so many enquiries from people who would like to attend our writers’ workshop but are unable to travel to the UK, we have now developed a distance-based version, following similar activities to those in the face-to-face workshop. You will be offered on-line support from the academic literacy facilitators and the opportunity to develop your article for Compare through follow-up mentoring by email with a specialist in your area.

Please note that the on-line version of our writers’ programme is only available for those based outside the UK, particularly those in developing countries without access to this kind of support. If you would like to apply for the on-line writers’ workshop, please apply as above. A facilitator will then get in touch with you to arrange a skype or phone call. This call is to ensure that you are able to access the website and its resources before you begin.

Bristol-Bath ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Regional Masters Dissertation Workshop

22 May, 2012

Research Centre for International and Comparative Studies

Graduate School of Education, 35 Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol

This day conference, sponsored by ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, was an opportunity for Masters students from Bristol University, Bath Spa University and Bath University to discuss their dissertation research and gain support in the researching and writing process.Ìý The day featured three university staff speakers and four Masters student presentations along side roundtable discussions and networking opportunities.

Read the full report