Annual Report 2014, Porto

Sessions, Symposium, Round Table, Posters, Joint Sessions, Quality

ECER 2014 in Porto, Portugal went well for Network 8.There were about 50 accepted submissions organized in 17 sessions. Most of the sessions were paper sessions, there was one symposium, one round table, and 9 posters. Additionally, we had a session 0 for the first time, introducing the programme and welcoming the conference delegates to the network. Finaly the network meeting organized as a session in the conference programme. Two sessions were organzied joinlty with other networks. One joint session with NW30 - Research in Environmental and Sustainability Education, and one joint session with both NW30 and NW18 - Research in Sports Pedagogy. Given the fact that last year NW8 had 50 accepted submissions too, but was then hosting papers from NW30 which was at that time still not established as a separate network, we have an increase in the number of papers within NW8. There were no last minute cancelations to speak of, and the sessions were of a fairly good quality.

Topics Covered

ECER 2014 was an excellent opportunity for the members of network 8 and scholars interested in health education research to share, exchange, discuss, debate, and theorize the state of the art research in the field. Both empirical research and theoretical/analytical research were represented in the conference programme. The topics covered a broad landscape of research within the field of health education, including, for example challenges related to sexuality education in schools; crticial approaches to health education and health promotion in schools; professional development and competences related to health education; health and inclusion in schools; perspectives on health literacy and health related action competence; partnerships and collaboration in health education; wellbeing and educational systems etc..

Conference Theme: "The past, present and future of educational research in Europe"

The overal ECER 2014 topic "The past, present and future of educational research in Europe" resonated well with the sessions of NW8. The main focus of NW8 is to engage with the issues of health, wellbeing and health promotion in schools educationally, and to critically examine possibilities of educational research to contribute to addressing global social challenges, such as health, sustainability and social justice.
Given that the conference took place in Portugal, Network 8  had a paper session devoted to research within health education in Portugal.