Call for SIG Convenor

The Alternative Education SIG takes the broadest approach to ‘alternative’ that we can.  We are interested in all forms of out of school educational provision and with ‘alternative’ approaches within schools.  We will facilitate  debate, discussion and exploration around the many issues, philosophical, political, pedagogical and ethical, that surround alternative education from PRUs to home education.  We aspire for this SIG to be a meeting ground for the education which takes place in museums, libraries, homes and open spaces as well as in alternative schools, democratic schools and flexi schools,  and to give a voice to those who realize education and learning differently.  We aim to promote network of critical discussion and supportive resources for researchers, practitioners, writers and thinkers.  We aim to be lively in our debate and in our SIG activity and to represent a vibrant forum of voices in this important and growing area. Research interests within the SIG are widespread and include, but are not restricted to:

• Home education
• Flexi- schooling
• Adult education
• Forest Schools
• Free Schools
• Democratic Schools
• Self-managed learning
• Museum education
• Pupil Referral Units
• Disruptive innovations in learning and teaching

As a SIG convenor you receive a number of benefits, support from the BERA office and are invited to attend convenor meetings in London, with all other SIG convenors.

Convenors are vital to the work of BERA, investing energy in the promotion of the SIG and its activities. The main role of the SIG Convenor(s) is to co-ordinate, oversee and develop the mission and activities of the particular SIG.

Convenors should expect to work within all the guidelines and advice provided by the BERA Office. These are in place to ensure good practice and that all legal, financial and insurance matters are taken care of and that any risks to individuals or organisations are minimised. In particular with regard to planning events, activities or any expenditure, SIGs should all follow the appropriate procedures

By agreeing to assume a position of SIG convenor, individuals are committing to fulfilling all of the responsibilities and obligations that go with that role. SIG Convenors are expected to exercise their own judgment to meet the requirements listed in BERA guidance and to seek further advice from the BERA Office if in any doubt. If any procedures are not followed then the BERA Office reserves the right to take whatever action may be necessary to protect BERA’s legal, financial and reputational position. Such matters will also form part of the review of each SIG that is undertaken by Council.

The annual responsibilities for SIG Convenors can be found in this document.

If you would like to be considered (below are the details of the role, remits and appointment of a convenor):

Particular responsibilities for SIG Convenors include:

BERA Annual Conference
SIG Convenors role as part of BERA’s annual conference are:
Pre conference responsibilities:

• Recruiting reviewers to review abstracts/submissions
• review ‘problematic’ abstracts/papers or in cases where a reviewer has not completed reviews
• Programming – organise and group accepted SIG papers and symposia for the annual conference timetable
• Advertising conference

During conference responsibilities:

• Attend and chair your SIG forum meeting
• Available during lunch breaks
• Encourage membership of BERA and your SIG
• Twitter presence highly desirable
• Chairing sessions
• One SIG Convenor to be present for each SIG session. Convenors will also therefore be available when no chair is available for that session (larger SIGs will be supported by Council Members with this)
• Run SIG best paper award

Other responsibilities:

• Communications with SIG members
• Enhance networking of the SIG membership by means of the BERA website and at conferences and through social media;
• Encourage scholarly discussion and extend areas of research, including the use of appropriate electronic means and planning events;
• Ensure that any information associated with the SIG is kept updated and communicated to the SIG membership and BERA itself
• Attend SIG Convenor workshops annually.

If multiple expressions of interest are received an election may be run.

The deadline to apply is the 27th March 2022

Please click above to apply.