There were 252 paper, poster and Ignite Talk submissions for ERC 2021, which were reviewed by a total of 99 reviewers. All proposals were double- or triple-peer reviewed and 221 contributions were accepted.
Of the 40 bursary submissions that the ERG received for the ERC2021, 30 bursary awards were made, which included 22 deferrals from ERC2021.
The ERC 2021 took place on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd September 2021. The Annual ERG meeting took place on Friday 3rd September 2021. It was combined with the closing ceremony, and what would otherwise have been the first ERC lunchtime session on ‘Making the most of the ERC and Getting to know EERA’ session.
The closing session was titled ‘Getting to Know EERA, Making the Most of the ECER and ERC Closing Ceremony’, and it provided an opportunity for EERA’s emerging researchers, their supervisors and research leaders to engage in interactive discussions which supported:
- broadening professional development opportunities and research dissemination experiences internationally;
- exchanging experiences and ideas about research and researcher development;
- actively participating in an European research community for Emerging Researchers.
All ERC participants were invited to this informal session which was jointly facilitated by experienced academics and the ERG co-conveners who enabled those attending to understand the EERA structure and chart their way through the ECER conference program. The session also formed a useful opportunity to connect with fellow emerging researchers. A post-ERC2021 survey of participants (n=91 respondents) reinforced that the design of the session was beneficial for all participants and should remain the same moving forward.
A response to the question ‘What aspects of this Emerging Researchers Group session were the most useful for you?’ summarises the overall feedback:
The Emerging Researchers' Conference was useful in creating bridges and connections between students, researchers, and teachers, promoting open and critical reflections, discussions, and dialogues about educational research. I think that the experience of participating in ERC was very rewarding, since I was able to share my Ph.D. research work in a free and plural environment of critical reflection and collective debate.
And for the most interesting and impactful evaluation question, in response to ‘How did participating in ERG activities change your research practice or ideas?’, a small sample of individuals responses included:
- Gave me critical feedback about my PhD project which is always valuable, but also some good advice
- I am thinking of submitting paper for best paper award. Also, I will explore research funding opportunities.
- It gives me ideas for supervising my students.
- Inspired, reassured that I am doing a good job
- Renew my interest in the concept of sustainability citizen
- Mentoring is a very important aspect in coaching PhD-students.
- I have new ideas for new study now.
- ERC was an important opportunity to develop my presentation and communication skills, but also to explore new possibilities of research, rethinking theories, improving methodologies and ways of data analysis.
- Makes me feel connected to the enthusiastic and engaged colleagues
- I start to feel more confident in my academic knowledge and skills
- The presentations were really nice. I learn about different analysis methods and meet researchers from different countries. This was a huge chance for me. Thank you so much.
Saneeya Qureshi, the ERG Link Convenor, will write a blog in the coming months addressing some of emerging researchers’ questions, specifically around getting more involved with EERA and its networks.