Network Meeting 2017, Copenhagen

The Network Meeting was attending by 40 people composed by regular participants and convenors and new colleagues from different generations of researchers. Colleagues gave their impressions about network sessions and the ECER in general.

Concerning the network it was advised that:  (i) next year sessions’ should only only have 3 papers, allowing more time for discussion; (ii) more symposia should be organised; (iii) we should avoid parallel sessions in the first slot in the morning. Concerning the ECER in general, it was remarked the good organisation and space, but also the fact that the “go green” policy needs to be improved and that programme changes are not welcome due to personal arrangements to participate.

The network meeting was also the context to remind and discuss challenges from 2016 (Dublin): (i) call for participation of colleagues from the network to propose chapters to the methods book (EERA/SAGE). Christophe Maeder, convenor of Network 19, answered positively to the call, being his proposal accepted; (ii) the organisation of a seasonal school; the call for papers that was successfully organised and with impact in papers submission. Some of these challenges were postponed and during the meeting it was decided that a new call for papers would be organised as well a proposal to organise a seasonal school. Financial opportunities to explore were presented as Network projects, season schools and network related publication.

Colleagues from the youngest generations of ethnographers are willing to participate more in the network. A few proposals emerged during the meeting and one was proposed to be considered by EERA: (i) a call for papers on Space and Ethnography was proposed by three young researchers that will  have the contribution of other interested networks. A seasonal school was also proposed by several colleagues from the network 19,  meant to be organised in Barcelona in 2018.

During the meeting the work in reviewing and chairing done by colleagues that are not convenors of the network was also acknowledged; their contribution is very important to run the network with quality.

Network 19 will celebrate 20 years during ECER 2019 (Hamburg) and organisation of a celebration programme and the organisation committee group (still to be decided) will start next year in Bolzano.  

Information was given about Network 19 activities beyond ECER as Oxford Ethnography Conference, Rethinking Educational Ethnography and Ethnography & Education journal and book collection.

Finally, the proposal for Bob Jeffrey, one of the funders of Network 19, to become honorary member it was approved unanimously.