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Call for Proposals

Participants are invited to engage with the conference theme, Higher Education Close Up Research Making a Difference, and the ‘think pieces’ which will be provided by the keynote speakers. This will involve addressing questions around enhancing the significance for various domains of social life of close up research into higher education.

In different ways, each of the think pieces will address the conference theme. Differences in the focus and concerns of these pieces are intended to offer conference participants a number of different angles from which to think about this theme. In responding to one or more of the think pieces in their proposals, participants might choose to build on the work in the think piece, to contest or challenge the ideas or assumptions they contain, or to show how these issues have arisen in their own research. Participants may, though, wish to take a new angle on the theme themselves.

In building the conference around a common theme and the think pieces the intention is to encourage the development of in-depth collective conversations over the three days of the conference.

Proposals

We invite proposals for contributions that critically explore questions relating to close up research making a dfiference. All proposals will be subject to blind peer review.

Deadlines are:

• Submission of proposals – 17 February 2014.
• Notification of outcomes – 21 March 2014 Please contact us if you need an earlier decision for funding purposes.
• Early Bird Registration closes 31 March 2014
• Full papers to be provided to the conference organisers for delegates' website by 30th June 2012
• Final registration deadline 1 July 2014

Proposals might include contributions in the following areas, though this is not a comprehensive list:

• Methodologies for close up research that help make a difference
• Close up evaluative research approaches in higher that can lead to change
• Analysis of how and why close up research has made a difference
• Presenting research findings in innovative and engaging ways
• Analysis of the ways in which close up research can make a difference, and to whom

There are two forms of proposals:

• Single Paper proposals
• Symposium Proposals

All proposals will be subject to peer review.

Single Paper Proposals

For those wishing to submit single paper proposals, an outline of 1000 words should be submitted to us. This should include a discussion of how the paper relates to the conference theme and to one or more of the keynote ‘think pieces’.

The peer review criteria for single paper proposals are available to download here

Symposium Proposals

Symposium sessions will take up a full conference session (90 minutes) and will involve a minimum of three conference participants. A symposium might involve a collection of up to three papers on a related theme or an innovative use of the space that could include an interactive activity or a performance piece. Proposals for Symposia should be approximately 1500 words and, in addition to discussing their relation to the conference theme and one or more of the ‘think pieces’, should provide an outline of how the symposium will make use of the 90 minute space. Those thinking of submitting a symposium are encouraged to use the HECU discussion list to find partners to work with in developing their proposals. Any participants who would like to discuss their proposed symposium prior to submission can contact Paul Trowler.

Download the peer review criteria for symposium proposals

Proposals should be emailed to: a.jesmont@lancaster.ac.uk

Final Papers

Presenters will be expected to provide digital copies of their papers to the conference office by 30th June 2014 - These will be placed on the website for delegates to access. Those who wish to have their papers considered for the special issue should submit a copy to the Conference Desk during the conference. Those involved in symposia can discuss whether providing written papers is appropriate for their session with Paul Trowler.