Interactive sessions

Academic Papers Presentations

A key element of the colloquium programme will be the opportunity to share experiences and research ideas. We invite submission of abstracts for our academic paper strand.  Papers should ideally address a specific theme for learning rather than present a description of the project. Academic papers will be presented in parallel sessions grouped around the broad themes of the submitted abstracts.

Papers should address the value and impact of the research that is conducted. The aim of the colloquium is to generate discussion and debate on the papers presented. Presenters will have an opportunity to publish their work in conference proceedings.


Practice Workshop

The colloquium will also include a Practice Workshop as a forum for the presentation and discussion of practice papers. All authors of practice papers accepted will be invited to participate and the workshop will be hosted by a panel of experienced action research practitioners.

A Practice paper is more than just a platform for the exchange of techniques. We are interested in the insights you can share with Colloquium participants or questions that have been raised for you about the practice of collaborative research. Practice Papers are also not expected to be heroic success stories. Their uniqueness lies in the author’s story and their own authentic thoughtfulness about their practice.  Therefore we ask you to locate yourself in the story – to make visible your role and involvement in the process.  

Because we do not all mean the same thing when we use the terms ‘action research’ or ‘collaborative research’, as a starting point, Practice Paper authors are asked to explain their assumptions about Action Research and where they take their thinking about action research/collaborative research from. However, a long review of everything ever written on action research is not necessary, unlike the extensive referencing required for refereed academic papers.

To maintain the ethos of the Colloquium’s emphasis on conversations, the practice workshop will be held in the following format:

 i.     Two presenters will be asked to introduce their own papers (10 min each)
ii.     A panel member will present a distillation of key points from all other papers (20 min)
iii.    The panel and the audience will discuss themes raised by papers