Dear Colleague

The call for submissions for the Widening Participation Conference 2014 has been extended, in response to a number of requests for a little more time to write their papers.

We are pleased to announce that we can receive submissions up to 5pm on 15 November.

Widening Participation Conference 2014 - Widening Participation through Curriculum

30th April and 1st May 2014, Jury's Inn, Milton Keynes Central, UK

About the conference

Higher education institutions have a major role to play in issues of access and pre-access, but we believe that to date insufficient attention has been paid globally to the tools that universities have to support widening participation and student success. In this conference we focus on the curriculum. We understand the term 'curriculum' to be wide ranging: the organisation of the curriculum, its design and contents, pedagogy, assessment, and how all these can be harnessed to contribute to more equal outcomes for all individuals, irrespective of background.

This conference poses a range of questions for our global colleagues:

·        What new models of partnership and curriculum delivery are addressing social inequality and what evidence is there of impact?

·        Can we revisit curriculum theory to look afresh at redressing differential success rates for different groups in society?

·        What is the impact of curriculum reform in higher education institutions and what lessons can be learned?

·        How are students being engaged creatively in the process of improving the student experience of higher education for all students?

About the themes

The conference is organised around six core themes:

·        Innovation in Design and Pedagogy

·        Impact of Curriculum Reform

·        Curriculum Openness

·        Flexibility and Modes of Delivery

·        Measuring and Demonstrating Impact

·        Revisiting Theory

Full details of each of the themes can be found at the conference website here: http://www.open.ac.uk/about/inclusion-and-curriculum/research-and-scholarship-community-practice/conferences/wp-conference-2014-widening-participation--0

Making a submission

Paper and poster submissions for the conference can be accepted and can be made on line through the conference website.

Download the submission form here: http://www.open.ac.uk/about/inclusion-and-curriculum/files/inclusion-and-curriculum/WP2014%20-%20Submissions%20Template.doc

Papers

Submissions of papers must include a short abstract and a brief overview paper, which will be reviewed in line with our peer review process (see the conference website for full details about the peer review process: http://www.open.ac.uk/about/inclusion-and-curriculum/research-and-scholarship-community-practice/wp-conference-2014-widening-participation-through-curr-0.

Papers must directly address one of the conference themes. At the conference, papers will be organised thematically.

Abstract

An abstract of maximum 150 words should be submitted. This information will be included in the printed conference programme and should give a clear account of the work to be presented. Text included in the abstract must not include any information which identifies the author(s) of the submission or their affiliated organisations.

Overview paper

The overview paper is to be maximum 1000 words (excluding references) providing details of the content of your submission.  The overview paper should:

·        Provide background information and/or indicate the context of the study and how it relates to previous research and literature in the field.

·        Explain the theoretical approach or methodology adopted in the research

·        Describe the results (whether preliminary or final) and any other findings or conceptual arguments

·        Explore the implications of the study (e.g. for theory, practice and further research)

·        Provide references throughout.

·        Text included in the overview paper must not include any information which identifies the author(s) of the submission or their affiliated organisations.

Institution Showcase Posters

Submissions for posters must include a short description (maximum 150 words) of the intended content. Posters should focus on one or two of the curriculum developments or projects which have had the greatest impact in your institution. Posters will be displayed prominently throughout the conference, and dedicated time will be included in the programme for discussion of the posters.

Registering for the conference

Registrations for the conference are now open. Places at the conference will be allocated on a first come - first served basis, although we will operate a waiting list in case of cancellations.

We have ensured that the fee for attendance at the conference is extremely competitive and this is due to generous sponsorship by the Open University.

We are offering two delegate packages as follows:

·        £250: Two days residential package. Includes attendance at both days of the conference, one night accommodation on 30th April, a place at the conference dinner.

·        £150: Two days non-residential package. Includes attendance at both days of the conference and a place at the conference dinner.

The venue for the conference is the excellent Jury's Inn in Central Milton Keynes. Just a stone's throw from Milton Keynes Central rail station, this luxurious venue offers the perfect place to hold a conference.

Directions to Jury's Inn can be found here.<http://miltonkeyneshotels.jurysinns.com/directions>

Registration form<http://www.open.ac.uk/about/inclusion-and-curriculum/files/inclusion-and-curriculum/Widening%20Participation%20Conference%202014%20-%20Registration%20Form.doc>

Please download and complete this form to register as a delegate for the conference.



John

John Rose-Adams│ Research, Evaluation and Information Manager│ Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships │The Open University │+44(0)1908 654018<tel:%2B44%280%291908%20654018>

Rose-Adams, John and Hewitt, Lindsay (2012). What ‘retention’ means to me: the position of the adult learner in student retention.<http://oro.open.ac.uk/37544/> Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 14(4) pp. 146–164.



Website : www.open.ac.uk/cicp<http://www.open.ac.uk/cicp>

Twitter: @heiwpresearch<http://twitter.com/heiwpresearch>

Blog: http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/wideningparticipation/





John Rose-Adams│ Research, Evaluation and Information Manager│ Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships │The Open University │+44(0)1908 654018<tel:%2B44%280%291908%20654018>



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