Notice
If you are a postdoctoral or doctoral researcher in the School of Humanities and the Social Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and your research engages with the theme of transformational ways of living and learning, you are invited to join the ECR ‘Transformational Ways of Living and Learning’ Symposium.
The concept of transformation is gaining increasing attention across multiple disciplines within the Social Sciences and beyond. As society grapples with a range of urgent challenges – from the transition to net-zero, to the entrenchment of socio-economic inequalities, and the questions raised by the growth of artificial intelligence – there is a pressing need for research to come up with ways to understand these shifts and to contribute to emerging dialogues around how to move forward. This symposium brings together early career researchers from a range of disciplines with the aim of fostering collaboration and discussion to better understand changes in society in the way we live and learn.
This one-day interdisciplinary event is an opportunity to develop your networks with other ECRs with an interest in transformational ways of living and learning, to find out about the range of research happening across the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, to share your ideas, and to engage in a series of thought-provoking discussions.
The event aims to bring together early career researchers to foster an environment for shared learning and collaboration. On the day, there will be a series of activities designed to facilitate discussion, and to share research findings and ideas. These include:
- Plenary talks – Two academics will deliver presentations on their research:
Dr Reyhaneh Shojaei, Lecturer in Real Estate Planning and Development at the University of Portsmouth, will present her work on digital innovation in the construction sector.
Dr Aliya Khalid, Senior Departmental Lecturer of Comparative and International Education at the University of Oxford, will present her work on young people and families' experiences of education in turbulent times.
- Elevator pitches - All participants will be invited to talk about their research for 2 minutes. This is an opportunity to share your research focus with the group, and to identify areas of shared interest.
- Research presentations - Presentations of ideas in the early stages of development are welcome, as are presentations of research findings, theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, and anything else people may wish to share.
- Discussant opportunities – Participants are welcome to volunteer to act as ‘discussant’ for another ECR’s presentation. ECRs will be asked to share their presentation slides or paper with the discussant ahead of the event, so that the discussant can compile some thoughts to share with the group on the day.
- Discussions – We will facilitate small group guided discussions around key themes which will be of interest to those wanting to learn more about transformation.
- Networking – There will be opportunities to get to know other ECRs, and to share your research interests throughout the day, over coffee, cake, and lunch.
All postdoctoral and doctoral researchers whose work is related to the theme of transformational ways of living and learning are encouraged to attend. This theme encompasses a broad range of topics, including the transition to carbon net-zero, sustainability, alternative forms of housing, transformative ways of learning, educational transformations, the increased use of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, housing for an ageing population, and much more besides. If your work is in any way related to the idea of transformation, or you think you might be interested in similar themes going forward, please feel free to register to attend.
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Please sign up via the google forms link below by Friday 3rd May. You will be asked to come up with some key words which exemplify your research interests, and will also be asked to provide 1-2 sentences to sum up the focus of the research which you’d like to talk through during your 2 minute ‘elevator pitch’. The form will also let you indicate whether you would like to give a short presentation, or act as a discussant (or both!) in addition to the elevator pitch. If you would like to give a short presentation, please submit a 100 word abstract through the form.
Click here to register
