The conference is not about separating out theory and practice but about blending it in pragmatic ways which has strong academic underpinning.  It is about knowledge creation, agency and strategic imperatives. These themes concerns all those involved in higher education work based learning; administrators, assessors, teachers and researchers.  All these voices are encouraged to contribute.

Keynote Speakers    

Adrian Anderson, Chief Executive of University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) - Higher Apprenticeship at Degree Level. 

Professor Carol Costley, Director of Research,  IWBL, Middlesex University 

Conference Chair: Dr. Anita Walsh

Organising Committee:

Dr Pauline Armsby. Professor Paul Gibbs, Dr Ruth Helyer. Dr Paula Nottingham, Dr Anita Walsh, Stephen Watt

Costs - £75 including conference refreshments but no dinner or accommodation.

Registered students can attend for £50 for both days and £30 for day 2

Conference Venue - Birkbeck , University of London

Date - 11^th (10.00-17.00) - 12th April 2013 (9.00-2.30)

Papers are welcome from those researching and practicing in this area and are to be reviewed under two streams chaired by Prof. Paul Gibbs and Dr. Pauline Armsby. As a new departure this year we especially welcome new researchers in this year and have a special yet integrated stream chaired by Dr. Paula Nottingham.

Papers may cover all or some of the following:

• Candidate voice and their political context  
• Learning and teaching in the workplace
• Theorising the pedagogic practices

500 word proposals for conference papers should be sent to Steve Watt  [email protected]  by 15^th January 2013.

Newer Researchers Integrated Stream  

This year the conference is introducing a newer researchers stream to provide greater opportunities for individuals to network with peers and more experienced researchers and to more fully engage with the existing community of practice.

We invite current or recently completed PhD and DProf candidates to present short talks (10-15 minutes) and subsequent papers based on variations of the conference theme ‘exploring work based learning though theory and practice’.

The stream has been introduced to offer candidates a way to gain experience with academic discussion about issues that have relevance to their own topic areas as well as to speak to important issues about “knowledge creation, agency and strategic imperatives” for work based learning and associated fields. Those who have associated research areas are welcome to submit proposals, e.g. learning and teaching in the workplace, discipline-based work-related learning, professional practice, vocational learning, experiential learning, or part-time learning experiences for professionals. The stated purpose of the network is outlined on the website: http://www.uall.ac.uk/wbl.

300 word proposals should be sent to Steve Watt  [email protected] by the  30^th January 2013. If you have any questions about submitting a proposal please get in touch with Paula Nottingham at [email protected]  or 0208 411 5087 or 07799033978.

All conference papers will be published in the conference proceedings.  Appropriate papers will be eligible for the Journal of Higher Education, Skills and Work Based Learning edited by Dr. Ruth Helyer.