Newsletter for European Research in Learning and Work [L&W]

This is the latest edition of the L&W Newsletter, which will reach you via a mailing list of over 1200 experts in and beyond Europe. As always, it focuses on transnational research activities in the field of human resource development (HRD) and vocational education and training (VET), centred on major categories: conferences, networks/ centres, programmes, projects and publications. Many thanks to all who contributed information for this edition of the Newsletter!

Particularly worth noting in this edition are publications addressing issues of pathways and partnerships in post-secondary VET, researching transitions, and future skills supply and demand (see Publications). Also included are announcements of a virtual PhD programme on Competence Diagnostics (COMET) and Masters programmes in Social and Education Sciences (see Programmes). And, not to overlook, the deadline of the call for papers related to Business Management (see EuroMed > Conferences).

The next edition of the Newsletter will appear in early April 2013. You are invited to submit short pieces of news (texts of 100 to 200 words, without attachments, but including links to web resources) - please by 31 March 2013 at the latest!

With best wishes
Sabine Manning
Research Forum WIFO
Editor of the L&W Newsletter

Conferences

CRLL/SCUTREA Conference on Mobilities and Transitions
The Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning (CRLL) and the Standing Conference of University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA) are hosting a joint international conference at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, UK from 25 to 27 June 2013. The conference  provides a platform for researchers and professionals engaged in Lifelong Learning and the Education of Adults to debate and discuss the theme of Mobilities and Transitions: Learning, Institutions, Global and Social Movements.

The central questions this conference seeks to consider are: How is mobility and transition expressed and experienced in different contexts?  How are policies, practices and institutional arrangements changing?  What are the effects on students and teachers, researchers and administrators?  To what extent are relations between and across the domains of academic practice, work and labour markets being redefined and reconfigured?  What are the ambitions for change and transition and how are they expressed and enacted in different educational contexts?  To what extent are existing ethical understandings and regulatory arrangements compromised by processes of mobility and transition? For more information, please see the CRLL website (http://www.crll.org.uk/conference/).
(Info received via CRLL mailing list posted by [email protected])

EuroMed Conference on Business Management
The EuroMed Academy of Business will hold the 6th Annual EuroMed Conference on Business Management at Estoril, Lisbon, Portugal September 23rd-24th, 2013. This is one of the major Business Management conferences of its kind in the European and Mediterranean region, attracting hundreds of leading scholars, principal executives and politicians from all over the world. Topics of interest (total 15) include: 1. Competitiveness, Development and Sustainability; Cross – Cultural Management; Digital Information and Knowledge Management; Education and Training: Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Organization Behavior and Human Resources Management. Submission Deadline: April 5th, 2013. Please submit your paper or abstract to [email protected] and to [email protected], strictly adhering to the author guidelines. For further information see the conference website: http://6theuromed2013.webnode.pt/
(Received from: Monica Lee [email protected] via the Forum for HRD mailing list)

NOTE: Forthcoming and recent events related to European research in work and learning are listed on the WIFO Conference page [www.conferences.wifo-gate.org].  

Networks

A review of the UNEVOC e-Forum in 2012
In 2012, UNEVOC launched its new UNEVOC website and the World TVET Database pilot. This database is an endeavour to provide concise, reliable and up-to-date information on technical and vocational education and training systems around the world, in one single place. Take a look: http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase.php

2012 has been a year of growth for the e-Forum in many respects, most markedly in terms of membership and active participation. More than 2,500 individuals are currently subscribed to the mailing list, and many more follow discussions using the online interface. Three virtual conferences were organised on the e-Forum platform, highlighting the importance of quality TVET provision in post-conflict and post-disaster situations; the importance of improving the linkages between teachers and industries; and Greening TVET.The reports that were published on the basis of these virtual conferences are available to everyone at http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/go.php?q=e-Forum%20-%20Virtual%20Conferences
(Info received via UNEVOC e-Forum <[email protected]> 20.12.2012)

NOTE: References to research networks in the field of European work and learning are available on the WIFO page Networks at a glance [www.networks.wifo-gate.org]. Major online resources related to European research networks include the ECER VETNET Proceedings (www.ecer-vetnet.wifo-gate.org) offering a complete and up-to-date collection of conference papers submitted since 1998, and the Overview of selected HRD conference papers (www.ehrd-papers.wifo-gate.org).

Programmes

Virtual PhD Program of the International Research Network on Competence Diagnostics (COMET)
With this announcement we would like to invite researchers from all over the world to participate in the modulation in occupational competence and identity based on the COMET model. The large scale results produced by the COMET project so far are based on a programmatic theoretical framework. The aforementioned framework and the deduced COMET competence model have proved to be internationally compatible; however there is still an essential need for basic research. At present an online platform is being developed by the University of Magdeburg in order to facilitate cross-cultural research between the nine different universities contributing to the program.

Potential Fields of Research are: 1. Modelling of occupational competence (development); 2. Modelling of occupational identity and occupational commitment; 3. Development and evaluation of measurement models; 4. The didactic quality of the competence model, design of VET processes, programs and systems. If you wish for further information, have further questions or wish to contribute, please contact Joy Backhaus under: [email protected]; [email protected]
(Posted by: Joy Backhaus on behalf of Prof. Rauner, IBB http://www.ibb.uni-bremen.de/)

Masters programs in Social and Education Sciences
Being aware of the role of universities in the training of qualified human resources, the University of Algarve and the Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics, Portugal, are promoting several masters programs in different areas such as Social and Education Sciences.

The Master in Human Resources Management creates an integrated vision about the complexity of organizational activity, thereby serving as a professional tool and as a motivation for future access in more advanced studies (http://cieo.ualg.pt/downloads/MasterHumanResourcesManagement.pdf). 

The Master in Social and Organizational Psychology is based on the criteria relevant to training skilled professionals able to integrate and apply knowledge in solving complex problems and the definition and development of intervention projects in a social and organizational context, in order to contribute to innovation and sustainability of organizations and communities (http://cieo.ualg.pt/downloads/MasterSocialOrganizationalPsychology.pdf).

The Master in Sociology reflects the intention of combining the dimensions of scientific expertise and professional performance, while developing capabilities and attitudes in future Masters that facilitate multi-disciplinary intervention and its performance in institutions, organizations or where teams may enter (http://cieo.ualg.pt/downloads/MasterSociology.pdf).
(Posted by: Julieta Rosa [email protected] on behalf of Teresa de Noronha)

Cum laude for a PhD Graduation at Wageningen University
On January 11, 2013, the PhD student Omid Noroozi of the Education and Competence Studies Group at Wageningen University graduated with distinction, cum laude, after having defended his thesis entitled ‘Fostering Argumentation-Based Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning in Higher Education’. See http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wda/2014823. Omid Noroozi’s research was supervised by Prof. Martin Mulder and Dr. Harm Biemans. This project concludes that arguing and reasoning are essential objectives in education. Online support systems in which learners argue in teams is called Argumentation-Based Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (ABCSCL). The most prominent instructional approach in ABCSCL that facilitates argumentative knowledge construction and learning is the use of computer-supported collaboration scripts. The conceptualization and operationalization of scripts and the way in which they manifest themselves in relation to learning are addressed in this thesis. The results suggest that scripts can be designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and argumentative discourse activities which in turn lead to better quality problem solutions. ABCSCL has been studied in many European countries such as France, Finland, Germany, Belgium, Norway, and UK. In this particular project, there was a strong cooperation between two European universities namely Wageningen University, Netherlands and Saarland University, Germany. On the basis of this project, future cooperation work has been established with other European institutions.
(Contributed by: Omid Noroozi [email protected])

Helsinki Summer School on Activity Theory and Formative Interventions
Following wide interest and many requests, the Helsinki Summer School on Activity Theory and Formative Interventions will be organized for the fourth time in the summer of 2013. The course will take place from August 6 to 22, 2013 at University of Helsinki and it is aimed at giving a rich introduction to activity theory and formative interventions by bringing theory and practice together. The course is in English. More information at: http://www.helsinkisummerschool.fi/home/courses/activity_theory_and_formative_interventions

The number of participants is limited to 30 and the course fills in very quickly. It is therefore recommended that applications are submitted soon after the electronic form is available on the following page: http://www.helsinkisummerschool.fi/home/courses/activity_theory_and_formative_interventions?readmore...

Contact: Annalisa Sannino ([email protected]) and Monica Lemos ([email protected]), CRADLE, University of Helsinki, Finland
(Posted by: Annalisa Sannino)

NOTE: Contributions are welcome for the next edition of the Directory of Doctoral Dissertations (www.ddd.wifo-gate.org), provided as part of the WIFO Gateway, which focuses on European research in the field of vocational education (VET) and human resource development (HRD). Please provide information on expected or newly completed doctoral dissertations investigating issues of HRD, VET or work-related adult education, according to the following pattern: 1*Theme of dissertation (original language AND English); 2*Year of (expected) completion or publication; 3*Author (name and email address); 4*Tutor (name and email address); 5*Institution of tutor (name and home page). Contributions should be posted by email to the editor ([email protected]).

Projects

MOVE-ON - Professional Learning for Adults on the Move
The European project MOVE-ON (http://move-on.exodussa.com/) offers you the opportunity to follow three full management courses from your iPhone device and even get a certificate for successful attendance! The goal of the MOVE-ON project is to develop and demonstrate a new educational model for adult lifelong learning and personal development on mobile devices. The application and content is available free of charge in English, Greek, Italian, Bulgarian and Hungarian. The project's final newsletter is available at: http://move-on.exodussa.com/Documents/MOVE-ON_Newsletter_3_v1.pdf
(Info received from EDEN Newsflash - Special Issue, December 2012)

NOTE: Contributions are invited to update the Overview of European research projects [www.projects.wifo-gate.org], provided as part of the WIFO Gateway. The overview focuses on transnational research projects, mainly supported by EU programmes, in the areas of human resource development, vocational education, work and learning. Please send the following information to the editor ([email protected]):  (A) exact title and acronym (short name) of the project; (B) name and email address of the coordinator or main contact; (C) address of the website (or info page/ flyer) of the project.
(Contact and editor: Sabine Manning)

Publications

OECD Report "Post-Secondary Vocational Education and Training: Pathways and Partnerships"
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264097551-en).
This report is part of the OECD work on Higher Education in Cities and Regions. It is concerned with the important role which post secondary vocational education and training (PSV), and the qualifications which this can lead to, now have in a rapidly changing labour market. The report provides a useful overview of recent developments in PSV across the OECD countries, and relevant changes in labour markets which have implications for the education and training which is required. This then leads to a series of chapters on developments within the PSV sectors in Australia, Scotland, Norway, Italy and Spain.  In a number of these chapters (originally presented at an OECD seminar 'Collaboration between Vocational and University Education: Building Partnerships for Regional Development') there is a focus on the linkages between PSV and other sectors, and in particular partnerships and pathways linking VET and higher education. The importance of creating these progression pathways which enable people to acquire enhanced qualifications and skills is an issue the importance of which is being increasingly recognized, as this report demonstrates.
(Contributed by: Jim Gallacher, Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning (CRLL), Glasgow Caledonian University – [email protected])

Researching Transitions
Article on "Intercultural Space as Transitional Space: movements, transformations and dialectical relations" by Marianne Teräs
Transitions have been on focus of research during recent years. Marianne Teräs reports on transition research done in Finland in a special issue compiled by Lesley Doyle and Vic Lally for the Research in Comparative and International Education journal (Volume 7 Number 4). Her article deals with an intervention called a 'Culture Laboratory', based on a generic 'Change Laboratory' method within developmental work research and cultural-historical activity theory. Within the Culture Laboratory, transitions can be viewed as movements, transformations and reciprocal relations, undertaken as participants attempt to improve their training in a process of observing, comparing and creating. The 17 participants of her study were students from eight different countries of origin, their teachers, other school staff and researchers. Experiences from her study would suggest that transitions are not outright movements that follow a certain path, but are rather complicated back-and-forth movements and tension-rich in-between spaces, which can enrich development and learning through creative actions.

See all the articles of the special issue on http://www.wwwords.co.uk/rcie/content/pdfs/7/issue7_4.asp
(Received from: Marianne Teräs [email protected])

Future skills supply and demand
Two new skills forecasting research papers were published by CEDEFOP in December 2012:

1. Skills supply and demand in Europe - Methodological framework (http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/20612.aspx). This publication provides an overview of the methods underpinning the project. Cedefop’s forecast is not intended to replace forecasting efforts in individual countries, but to share the knowledge acquired during the development of different systems and methods, and to highlight the results. This shared knowledge can help to improve the methods used in each country and to resolve outstanding issues.

2. Future skills supply and demand in Europe - New forecast (http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/20633.aspx). According to the forecasts, assuming a slow but steady recovery, up to 2020, the European economy will create some eight million new jobs. However, nearly 10 times as many jobs, around 75 million, will need to be filled as people retire or leave the workforce. Most new jobs will be at the higher and lower end of the skill spectrum bringing a risk of job polarisation. By 2020, Europe will have the most highly-qualified workforce in its history. This publication provides the data behind these trends and discusses the challenges they pose for policy-makers.
(Info received via Skillsnet mailing list c/o Roula Panagiotou [email protected])

NOTE:  Updates on publications provided by the WIFO Gateway include the WIFO Bookshelf [www.books.wifo-gate.org], a collection of references to publications focusing on cross-European issues of work and learning, and "From the Journals" - Overview of articles on cross-European issues in VET and HRD research [www.articles.wifo-gate.org], selected from European and international Journals related to education research [www.journals.wifo-gate.org].

Impressum

Editor of the L&W Newsletter: Dr Sabine Manning, Research Forum WIFO ([email protected]);
Address: Neue Blumenstr. 1, D-10179 Berlin, Germany;
Editions of the L&W Newsletter: six times a year, every two months (at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October, December);
Deadline for contributions to the L&W Newsletter: end of January, March, May, July, September, November;
Circulation of the current L&W Newsletter: about 1200 experts in 40 countries (mostly Europe);
Details and Archive of the L&W Newsletter [www.news.wifo-gate.org].