Who is it for?

The ECR Network’s symposia series is designed for early career researchers (ECRs), including Master’s and Doctoral students, as well as those in the early post-doctoral phase. It’s ideal for anyone looking to present their research and connect with peers.

What to expect?

Each symposium features 10-15 minute presentations by ECRs, followed by discussions on their research. The audience includes fellow ECRs and 1-2 experienced academic discussants. A current ECR Regional Representative hosts the session. Presenters highlight key discussion points and receive constructive feedback in a supportive yet critical environment.

Why attend?

The symposia provide a valuable opportunity to practice presenting research in a friendly setting, preparing ECRs for future conferences. Attendees gain experience, receive helpful feedback, and network with fellow researchers.

In the ever-evolving landscape of educational research, innovation and creativity are key drivers of progress. Educational researchers employ creative approaches that not only address complex educational issues but also inspire meaningful change. This symposium theme emphasises the value of thinking outside the box, taking calculated risks, and pushing boundaries in educational research endeavours. This year, we celebrate and promote creative thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving in every stage of educational research including design, implementation, analysis, writing up, and dissemination.

Below are some potential topics but this is not intended to be an exhaustive list:

1. Innovative Methodologies and Approaches to Analysis: Share your research projects that employ innovative and non-traditional methodologies  and approaches to analysis to address educational challenges.
2. Creative Problem Solving: Present your work on how creative problem-solving has led to insights or solutions in the field of education.
3. Interdisciplinary Approaches: Explore how interdisciplinary collaboration has fostered creative research and enriched educational scholarship.
4. Leveraging Emerging Technology: Discuss how technology and digital tools can be harnessed creatively to enhance educational research and practices.
5. Engaging Stakeholders: Share experiences where involving various stakeholders (students, educators, policymakers) in the research process has fueled creativity and contributed to impactful outcomes.
6. Artistic and Aesthetic Perspectives: Examine the role of artistic and aesthetic elements in educational research, and how they can inspire innovative insights.
7. Cross-Cultural Research: Highlight research that transcends cultural boundaries, promoting creative cross-cultural perspectives in education.
8. Translational Research: Showcase research that effectively translates creative ideas into practical applications, benefitting educational settings.
9. Ethical Considerations: Explore how creativity in research aligns with ethical principles and safeguards against unintended consequences.
10. Challenges and Future Prospects: Share your thoughts on the challenges faced by young researchers in adopting creative approaches and offer insights into the future prospects of creative research in education.
11. Addressing EDI within research design: Exploring inclusivity, diversity and equality across  research approaches to consider researcher identity and positionality
12. Using AI in research: examining the frontiers in the use of AI in research; testing the opportunities and challenges and exploring the researcher experiences

Draft Programme

11:00pm           Introduction and Welcome

11:10pm            Transforming knowledge, crossing boundaries: exploring educational
                            knowledge brokering; Lucy Rycroft-Smith, University of Cambridge

11:40pm            Considering Alternative and Adaptive Approaches to Conducting Research;
                             Jessica Breese, University of Sheffield

12:10pm            Break

12:20pm           ‘It wasn’t safe to say anything really.’ How heuristic research unlocks and
                             illustrates the school experience of women survivors of intrafamilial child
                             sexual abuse?; Sheona Goodyear, University of Birmingham

12:50pm            To Be or Not to Be: the role of Drama Pedagogy in China’s Moral Education
                             Curriculum; Shufan Zhang, University of Cambridge

14:00pm           Close of event