Annual Report 2017, Copenhagen

ECER 2017 in Copenhagen proved that Network 30 continues to be the focal point for exchange for research in the area for Environmental and Sustainability Education Research.   As in previous years, we had again a number of participants from overseas (USA, Australia and Canada).

This year (ECER 2017) our network received 68 submissions (with 67 in 2016). Out of these submissions we rejected 5 submissions and redirected 6 submissions. The rejection rate (10%) was average compare to other networks. At the conference our network programme consisted of 26 sessions (18 paper sessions, 2 roundtables, 6 symposia, 2 posters). The attendance at sessions varied from 15 to 70 participants.  

The atmosphere in the network was very positive and encouraging. There was mutual respect for the diversity of research and criticism was friendly and constructive. A great majority of presentations were of a high standard. Most of the sessions ended with explorative and constructive discussions. This year we had a larger than usual number of symposia. This was considered by participants ambiguous: In terms of content the symposia were more focused and coherent than paper sessions, however there was in tendency less time for questions and discussion from and with the audience.

Or network meeting was held on Wednesday (28th of October) with a high attendance rate of about 50 participants. At the end of the meeting we had 6 more members for our NW 30 member mailing list. The meeting consisted of four parts. First, the report from the Link Convenor. Second, the election of two new convenors according to our "Managament policy of NW 30" rules and third, a presentation from Prof. Jeppe Lassoe on ESER in Denmark, Finally, we had an activity in which members had the opportunity to raise issues and contribute ideas to the network activities in the past and future. Conversations and discussion could be extended at a network dinner tow which all participants were invited.

In Copenhagen we had a Special NW 30 call titled "Re-orienting education towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): exploring the ambivalent roles of policy and educational research". This call generated one symposium and one round table. Focusing on the SDGs proved to be a topic of wide interest, so we follow up on the topic in the NW 30 Call for ECER 2018. We think that the network programme has gained a robust framework of thematic symposia and shows ongoing cooperation between network members.

In 2017 we had attendants from the US, New Zealand and Canada. As a network we intend to maintaining and extending cooperation with academics networks outside Europe.

As in previous years, we actively sought contact with local researchers and/or NGOs to include them in our programme or social activities. In Copenhagen we were successful. On Monday afternoon, ESER researchers were offered an “Explorative walk through Vesterbro” guided by a Danish practitioners and researchers, involved in developing Environmental Education and ESD activities in the Copenhagen neighbourhood of Vesterbro. Further, we had a Danish Guest speaker at our network meeting and a network dinner organised at an organic restaurant. All events were well attended and the network members expressed their appreciation of the effort made to provide space for networking and of the overall welcoming atmosphere towards new participants in our network.