Some thoughts that might help to develop, strengthen and extend our relationships and the educational
influences of our conversations on our action research accounts. Susan - if this comes through to you
I'm hoping that you might contribute some thoughts on your hopes, as President of ALARA, for the 8th
World Congress 6-9th September 2010 in Melbourne, Australia.
Lesley has just sent through the details of a gathering in the Action Research Unit of Nelson Mandela
University in South Africa on the 19th and 20th August 2010 at:
http://www.actionresearch.net/writings/southafrica/nmmu0810.pdf
Andrea, Farida, Graham, Odwa, Delysia, Lawrence, Nalini, Bonnie, Lee, Sibusiso, Anisa, Chris and Joan
- this gathering with Lesley at NMMU could give everyone in the Self-study for Transformative Higher
Education (SeStuTHE) group at Durban University of Technology (DUT) the opportunity to present and
make public the depth and extent of the embodied educational knowledge and learning of educators at
DUT. I do like Lee's proposal for her masters dissertation on 'Telling tales: pictograms as a visual voice'
at:
http://www.actionresearch.net/writings/durban/leescottmastersproponly.pdf
and I know how appreciative everyone was to see Andy's edited collection on Creativity Works at:
http://www.actionresearch.net/writings/henon/creativityworkslowah.pdf .
Paul (Roberts) perhaps you could come to the 7th Annual Action Research Conference at the University
of San Diego on May 14th and 15th and/or spread the information with action researchers in Mexico -
details at:
http://www.sandiego.edu/soles/centers/student_support_systems/events/ar_conference/index.php
It would be good to see you there and would give us the opportunity to share more widely the action
research being supported at the University of San Diego with Cheryl Getz, Norijuki, Lonnie and her
other colleagues, and with any of your colleagues and contacts in Mexico.
Geisha - if you want to see more of Branko's writings and the support he is giving locally and nationally
in Croatia and globally through the Educational Journal of Living Theories do look at
http://ejolts.net/ . If anyone on the list would like to help with the review process or has ideas for the
development of EJOLTS do please offer your help and ideas on the EJOLTS site. This multi-media journal
could also provide you with a forum to share your ideas so do please submit your presentations for the
review process.
Catherine (Dean) is working at Strathmore University in Kenya on her doctoral enquiry:
"My African Journey: how am I developing my understanding of educational relationships as a 'spiration
of love in freedom' as I seek to improve my teaching of philosophy and ethics to facilitate holistic
transformational learning in my undergraduate students carrying out non-philosophical degree
programmes?"
You can access more details of Catherine's research work at:
http://www.actionresearch.net/writings/kenya/catherinedeanresearch110310.pdf
Catherine is registered at Dublin City University for her doctorate working with Margaret and there is
already in place a memorandum of understanding between Strathmore University and Dublin City
University. I think you will enjoy reading about the eLife Connecting People Project coordinated by
Margaret and her colleague Yvonne Crotty at:
http://83.70.181.166/joomlamgt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167&Itemid=64
The gathering with Lesley at NMMU in August could provide us with a forum for sharing action research
accounts from Strathmore, perhaps with Alfred.
Joan (Walton) the Director of the research Centre for the Child and Family at Liverpool Hope University
in the UK submitted a proposed constitution for the Centre to a meeting of the Steering Committee this
Wednesday. It was agreed that:
"The members of the steering group also understand that it (and they) are an integral part of a
participatory action research process, and as such, an evaluation of the role that they play will be
included in the research writings that are produced in relation to the development of the centre."
Joan circulated an initial discussion document to the list which embodied a commitment to improving
the well-being of children and young people:
"A major principle identified in the initial discussion document was that the development of the Centre
should be a collaborative venture between academics and practitioners having a commitment to
improving the well-being of children and young people."
Nigel (Harrisson) is the first doctoral researcher in the Centre and is exploring the implications of
asking, researching and answering his question 'How can I improve my practice as a manager and a
leader in Children’s Services at a time of transformational change?'
Swaroop - I'm hoping that it might be possible to form a research group in India that could be
associated with the Centre at Liverpool Hope University. I think Joan may be in touch.
I've added the flier for the gathering at NMMU with Lesley in the What's New section of
http://www.actionresearch.net
The other homepages section is up to date with your contributions. Any more urls do please send them
in.
Enough for the moment - I hope the excitement I'm feeling with all our contributions is infectious!
Love Jack.
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