Educational research takes place in many different settings, including higher education institutions, but also schools, local authorities, community organisations and research organisations outside higher education (amongst others). Educational researchers also work in many different capacities, sometimes as permanent employees (within higher education institutions or other organisations), but also on short-term contracts, as self-employed researchers or on a voluntary basis.

The British Educational Research Association (BERA) is in the process of establishing an Independent Researchers’ Forum to bring together those who see themselves as members of this wider research community but who are not permanently employed in higher education. The Forum will aim to facilitate networking between researchers in this group, to encourage links between these researchers and BERA members working in all types of settings, and to develop a space for the productive exchange of ideas.

As a first step, BERA is holding a launch event on Wednesday 22^nd July 2015 from 11.00 am until 3.00 pm at Friends House, 73-177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. The cost will be £5 for BERA members and £10 for non-members (to include lunch). At this event there will be opportunities to share experiences of carrying out research as independent researchers, to hear more about BERA, and to help plan a way ahead for the Forum. There will also be an opportunity to contribute to a short publication about the identity of independent researchers (as a first product of the Forum).

If you think you might be interested in being a member of the Forum we would love to see you. Register now!