This year’s ECR Conference celebrates the journey of “becoming” an educational researcher. You may have just started your doctoral study or be writing up your thesis. You may be a freshly minted “Dr” navigating the next stages of your career in and outside of academia. You may have recently secured your first academic or research positions, and now you might be exploring ways to establish your identity as an independent researcher. Regardless of the career stage you are in- this conference is for you. It is an opportunity to celebrate and disseminate your small and big successes in your journey from research students to independent thinkers.

The theme of this ECR Conference is anchored on “inspiration” and “impact”. We welcome presentations on how you get inspired as an educational researcher, for example, by colleagues, peers, or approaches to navigate your doctoral journey. By sharing your sources of inspiration, you can help inspire your peers who are facing similar challenges. We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics pertaining to doctoral education from an insider’s perspective such as student wellbeing, academic publishing, professional development, networking, alternative forms of research, and navigating the job market. Particularly, we are interested in your own experiences of exploring options and finding out solutions.

Another focus of this year’s conference is on “impact”. We define impact in its broadest sense to include not only publications in prestigious academic journals but also how your research has influenced beliefs, practices, and policies. We acknowledge both breadth and depth of the impact that your research has, that is, how your research is making a difference in the educational experiences of individuals locally, nationally, and internationally. We welcome submissions of abstracts on educational research projects at various stages. It may be that you have conducted a literature review on a topic that you would like to disseminate, or a pilot study that you would like to obtain feedback from. Similarly, you may be in the final stages of a research study and wish to explore its potential impact.

Abstract guidelines

We invite abstracts of 500 words, to be presented at the conference.

Submissions focusing on “inspiration” (reflections on issues and solutions in doctoral education and academia) should clearly state the issue in focus and how it is relevant to other doctoral researchers or ECRs. You should briefly describe your experience and include some of the solutions or suggestions based on your reflection. If presenting as a team, you need to make clear the contribution/focus of each presenter.

Submissions focusing on “impact” (presentation of educational research projects at various stages) should clearly describe the focus of your research and the educational problem(s) that it intends to solve/investigate. You need to include a description of the methodology and method(s) used in your study (if applicable), or the process of inquiry. Equally important is the significance and implications of your research for practice, policy, and/or research.

Presentation formats

• Individual short presentations – 5 minutes 
• Individual long presentations – 15 minutes 
• Team presentations – 30 minutes 

Reviewing criteria

Criteria for evaluating submissions focusing on “inspiration” (reflections on issues and solutions in doctoral education and academia):

• Clarity of the issue in focus
• Relevance of the issue to other doctoral researchers or ECRs
• Depth of personal or collaborative reflections
• Clarity and innovativeness of solutions/suggestions

Criteria for evaluating submissions focusing on “impact” (presentation of educational research projects at various stages):

• Clarity of the focus of the research
• Originality of the research
• Rigour of the research
• Significance of the research for education practice, policy or theory

Abstract submission deadline: 23rd February 2023.
Decisions confirmed: March 2023

Submit an abstract

Presentations on the day will also be reviewed and the winner will be invited to the BERA Conference 2023 to present their work during a dedicated ECR session.

Draft programme: