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.