Annual Report 2017, Copenhagen

Network 10 enjoyed a successful conference in Copenhagen! We received over 200 submissions and through the first and second round of reviews accepted 87% of papers. While the number of submissions is slightly up (+8n) on last year fewer papers were accepted overall (-4%) and our rejection rate rose from 9% in 2016 to 13% in 2017.

We are pleased to report that all sessions were well attended with between 8 and 50 participants per session. In addition to participants from the European countries we had researchers from Japan, China, Canada, the USA and Australia in attendance, sharing work, making connections and engaging in discussion.

We continue to expand the number of colleagues involved in the reviewing process and this year 57 reviewers were engaged in the process providing feedback on submissions and where necessary re-directing abstracts (there were 19 redirects during the first review round). Having more reviewers’ means that the network can be more active, more responsive to European wide projects and calls and engage colleagues from more institutions across a wider geographical area. We are especially proud to report that our reviewers came from 17 different countries and 6 different regions.

All submissions were subject to a double-blind review process and where there was a difference between the reviews, one of the networks convenors performed a third review. In general, reviewers make good use of the guidance materials, decisions were consistent and reviewers took the time to include detailed and helpful feedback to the authors. Feedback from both those who submitted abstracts and reviewers was that the process was helpful, supportive and encouraging and as a network we are committed to ensuring the effectiveness and support of this process.

This year we arranged a network social event and we made plans for future publisher events and Europe wide project focussed symposium sessions.

Participants and chairpersons reported that both attendance and the quality of discussion and debate was of a high standards and provide a supportive environment for emerging researchers and those who shared work in progress.

It is important to note that in addition to the preparation and efforts of presenters, the quality of the conference experience is directly related to the excellent work done by the reviewers of the network and chairpersons (mobilised mostly from the reviewers’ list) in supporting and guiding discussions. This year we will list all of the colleagues involved on the EERA Network’s website as a mark of our gratitude but also to engender future collaboration and connection.  As a network we are grateful to all those involved in ensuing the success oft he conference.

This year NW10 was involved in joint sessions with NW7 Social Justice and Intercultural Education, NW9 Assessment, Evaluation, Testing and Measurement and NW31 Network on Language and Education.

As a network we are committed to collaborative working practices and we aim to develop community-based activity and experiences for our network in the conference host country. We are especially keen to arrange field visits and share research practices.