The experience of enabling a research based dialogue on social justice and intercultural education requires both flexibility and focus. This paper will highlight the challenges which face convenors. We wish to include researchers from diverse backgrounds while enhancing the academic quality of the papers presented in Network 7. We will present a brief history of almost 15 years of networking within ECER and discuss possible directions for the future.

The work of Network 7 raises significant questions. These are: Is it necessary or desirable to develop a common theoretical language and/or a body of knowledge? And if so, how could this be done in a scientific world ruled by the English language and Anglo-Saxon research traditions? How should differences in research interests and traditions from different parts of Europe, taking asymmetric power relations within Europe into account, be included? Other issues include the incorporation in social justice of discourses focusing on gender, disability, ethnicity and so on.

The paper first defines the interlinked key concepts which guide the work of the network. A brief history follows, describing the challenges facing the network. These include the issue of language, the discussions during ECER, the image of the network and the choice of network descriptors.

Bhatti, G., Gaine, C. Gobbo, F. and Leeman, Y. (eds.) (2007) Social Justice and Intercultural Education: an open-ended dialogue. Stoke on Trent, Trentham. Bhatti, G. & Leeman, Y. (2010) EERJ 1