Call for Proposals

The conference theme, Critical Approaches to Close-Up Higher Education Research, and the four ‘Think Pieces provided by the keynote speakers, invite participants to engage with questions around the ways in which close-up higher education research reflects, incorporates or furthers higher education as a critical endeavor.

In very different ways, each of the think pieces addresses the conference theme. The differences in the focus and concerns of the four think pieces are intended to offer conference participants a number of different angles from which to think about this theme. In responding to one or more of the think pieces in their proposals, participants might choose to build on the work in the think piece, to contest or challenge the ideas or assumptions they contain, or to show how these issues have arisen in their own research. In building the conference around a common theme and the four think pieces the intention is to encourage the development of in-depth collective conversations over the three days of the conference.

Proposals

We invite proposals for contributions that engage with questions around the ways in which close-up higher education research reflects, incorporates or furthers higher education as a critical endeavor.
All proposals will be subject to blind peer review and authors will be notified of the outcome of the process by 10th January, 2022.

Proposals submitted earlier than the final date can be reviewed within two weeks to enable successful contributors to secure funding and/or make travel arrangements.

Proposals may include contributions in the following areas, but are not limited to these:

Conceptual issues exploring the meaning of critical and criticality within a higher education context
Conceptual issues exploring the nature of critical theory and/or critical pedagogy and their application to higher education practice and research
Methodological and ethical issues when engaged in critically-informed research. Does such an approach to research lend itself to, or require, different methodological approaches? What would a critical understanding of research ethics entail?
Student or participant involvement in critically-informed research. For example, does it entail different roles and responsibilities?
Relationships between close-up research and large scale studies. Can or should a critical approach to higher education research span these two domains?
Student-teacher relationships in higher education – for example, issues of power, sharing control and identity
Uses of critical theory/critical pedagogy to inform policy and practice. For example, is it possible to tailor such research to the mainstream forums of policy makers and policy actors? Or are the two mutually exclusive?
Exploration of the concepts of critical/criticality/critical theory/critical pedagogy in an increasingly internationalised higher education sector.

There are two forms of proposals:

Single Paper proposals
Symposium Proposals

People are welcome to submit more than one proposal, however, where space is limited we will give priority to ensuring one paper from each person.

Papers will be allocated 30 minutes, 20 minutes for presentation and a further ten minutes for questions.

Single Paper Proposals

For those wishing to submit single paper proposals, an outline of 1000 words should be submitted via EasyChair. The closing date for submissions is the 6th December, 2021. The outline should include a discussion of how the paper relates to the conference theme and to one or more of the keynote ‘think pieces’.

Download the peer review criteria for single paper proposals.

Symposium Proposals

Symposium sessions will take up a full conference session (90 minutes) and will involve a minimum of three conference participants. A symposium might involve a collection of up to three papers on a related theme or an innovative use of the space that could include an interactive activity or a performance piece. Proposals for Symposia should be approximately 1500 words and, in addition to discussing their relation to the conference theme and one or more of the ‘think pieces’, should provide an outline of how the symposium will make use of the 90 minute space. Those thinking of submitting a symposium are encouraged to use the HECU discussion list to find partners to work with in developing their proposals. Any participants who would like to discuss their proposed symposium prior to submission can contact Jan McArthur.

Download the peer review criteria for symposium proposals.

One joint proposal for each symposium should be submitted via EasyChair. The closing date for submission has been extended to the 12th December, 2021. The Administrator will acknowledge receipt within 48 hours.

Final Papers

Those who wish to have their final paper considered for a special journal issue should submit a copy to the Conference Desk during the conference.

Authors should use the Template provided when writing their final paper.