Dear All

Just to keep in touch and let you know that there is lots of activity going
on behind the scenes in terms of proposal writing and planning SIG symposia!

Best wishes,

Sarah

PS If you need any help writing proposals here is an overview for submissions:

Symposia - Refereed

Symposia are 90 minute conference sessions, organised by convenors, and
usually structured to include 4 papers (maximum 6) or 3 papers and a
discussant. The title of the symposium, plus the name(s) and affiliation(s)
of the convenor and discussant (where appropriate) and an overview of
(maximum) 400 words should be submitted, together with abstracts of
(maximum) 1000 words which must include all references, titles, authors and
their affiliations. Guidance on the writing of abstracts can be found below.

Presenters(s) of each paper should have a written paper length 4000 – 6000
words, to distribute at the symposium. The symposium must be linked to the
SIG that the convenor/corresponding author feel most closely represents the
topic. Each symposium is strictly one 90 minutes session. If a group of
researchers or a SIG wish to link symposia in the programme they must submit
each separately and specify who will present in which symposium. It should
be indicated on the on-line submission form that this is part of a linked
series. A symposium may be organized more flexibly, for example in the form
of a workshop or expert panel discussion, if you think the symposium you
wish to submit is of this nature please contact In Conference who will
provide further information.

Individual Papers - Refereed

Papers are oral presentations and will be scheduled in 90 minute themed
sessions which will normally include a maximum of 4 papers, each of which
will be given approximately 20 minutes for presentation. An abstract of
(maximum) 1000 words should be submitted, which must include all references,
titles, authors and their affiliations. Guidance on the writing of abstracts
can be found below. When abstracts are submitted they must be linked to a
SIG  that author(s) feel most closely represents the topic of the paper.
Presenters(s) should have a written paper, length 4000 – 6000 words, to
distribute in the session.

Posters - Not Refereed

Posters are largely graphic presentations, which may be accompanied by a
(maximum) 5 minute oral presentation. Poster presenter(s) should have an
abstract available, but a written paper of 1000 – 2000 words may be
provided. An abstract of 600 words (maximum) is required together with the
title, author(s) and affiliation(s). When abstracts are submitted they must
be linked to the SIG  which most closely represents the topic of the paper.
The Review Process

Abstract Structure

Abstracts submitted for the main conference should not exceed 1000 words (as
above) and should address the following:

    * Background to the topic;
    * Research questions and/or focus of enquiry;
    * Research methods and/or mapping of literature;

Criteria For Assessment of Abstracts

Paper abstracts will be assessed using the following criteria:

    * Relevance of topic to BERA members;
    * Clarity of research question(s) or focus of enquiry;
    * Appropriateness of research method(s) and/or literature;

In addition, the 400 word overview submitted with symposia should focus on
the overall coherence of the symposium.

    * Robustness of analytical and/or theoretical frame;
    * Significance for educational practice, policy or theory.
    * Analytical and/or theoretical frame;
    * Research findings and/or contribution to knowledge.