This one-day conference is the seventh in a series on professional learning, organised by the University of Leeds, and Birkbeck, University of London. It is intended for all those working with professional learning, broadly defined. It will be relevant for those concerned with initial and ongoing professional learning, both in work and in educational contexts; it therefore focuses on professional learning in universities, workplaces and in and continuing professional development and education.

The theme, Critical perspectives on professional learning, signals that we are seeking papers which are critical of received ideas pertaining to professional learning. Papers will probably focus on a specific profession or context, but since this is an opportunity for cross-professional debate, argument and theoretical and empirical development, all proposals should reflect issues which relate more broadly to other arenas. Papers will draw on research, theory and critical analysis.

Participants will come from a range of disciplinary backgrounds such as education, medicine, health and social care, law, engineering and management. The conference will bring together academics and practitioners concerned with the training and development of professionals.

Papers from the first conference were recently published by Routledge in a book, Beyond Reflective Practice, edited by the organisers of this conference, Helen Bradbury, Nick Frost, Sue Kilminster and Miriam Zukas. Papers from the fourth conference have appeared in a special of the journal. Studies in Continuing Education. Papers from the sixth conference will also be appearing in a special issue of Studies in Continuing Education.

Critical perspectives on professional learning
Seventh Annual Conference
Monday 15th June 2015 10.00 am - 4.30 pm

Keynote Speakers

Professor Madeleine Abrandt Dahlgren, University of Linköping, Sweden Professor Alison Fuller, Institute of Education, University of London, UK

Call for abstracts is open

We have structured the day so that we are also able to offer participants the opportunity to contribute papers on the conference theme. We would like to encourage contributions which: take a critical approach to professional learning; suggest new conceptualisations of professionalism and professional learning; theorise learning; critique practices relating to professional learning and suggest new ways forward.

If you would like to contribute a paper, please submit your abstract to us by 9th January 2015. Abstracts must be written in English; be approximately 500 words; include a summary of the main topic of the proposed paper. Each abstract should:

• have a critical and/or analytical perspective;
• show how it will relate to the conference theme;
• give an indication of the key theoretical ideas and/or policy and/or research to which the contribution will relate; and
• outline whether or not it will draw on new and/or existing empirical data.

Note: At this stage, you do not need to include references.

The planning group (Helen Bradbury, Sue Kilminster, Rebecca O’Rourke at the University of Leeds, and Miriam Zukas at Birkbeck, University of London) will make the selection based on the criteria. Proposers will be notified of the outcome of their proposal by 30th January 2015, and sent guidelines for publication. If your paper is accepted, we will need to receive your paper and registration by 10th April 2015. Papers will be published on the conference website by 11th May 2015, giving participants a month to read them.

Please send your abstracts by email to Tracey Dixon ([email protected]) no later than 9th January 2015.

The Conference Venue: University House, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT

Costs and registration: The conference will cost £95 for the day.

A reduced fee may be available for un-waged PhD students (please enquire).

Registration forms will be available on the conference website at: medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/events/event/81/

They will also be available from Tracey Dixon, Leeds Institute of Medical Education, Level 7, Worsley Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9NL, phone: +44 (0)113 343 4365, email: [email protected].


PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

Centre for Research in Professional Education - The Centre is housed in the Leeds Institute of Medical Education at the University of Leeds. It provides a focus for research and teaching in the field of professional education

Birkbeck, University of London - Birkbeck is a world-class research and teaching institution, a vibrant centre of academic excellence and London’s only specialist provider of evening higher education.

Learning, Leadership & Policy, School of Education, University of Leeds - We research professional learning and ‘learning in the professions’: the ways in which education professionals are trained for, and practice, lifelong learning. This spans primary and secondary schooling, further and higher education and interprofessional clinical education.

Further information

Further information is available from Tracey Dixon: LIME, Level 7, Worsley Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9NL Phone: +44 (0)113 343 4365 Email: [email protected]

Keep up to date with information about the conference by logging on to the website at: medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/events/event/81/.