Many thanks to all who contributed information for this edition of the L&W Newsletter! Particularly worth noting are six calls for papers including updates relating to: the "bac pro" Conference in Lille, RWL9 in Singapore (see Conferences), the HRD conference in Cork, the INAP conference in Ballarat, the ReNAdET conference in Cyprus (see Networks) and the HRDI Special Issue on Good Leadership (see Publications).
The L&W Newsletter reaches you via a mailing list of over 1400 experts in and beyond Europe. 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, programmes, projects and publications. The next edition will appear in early June 2015. You are invited to submit short pieces of news (texts of 100 to 200 words, without attachments, but including links to web pages) - please by 31 May 2015 at the latest!

Should you prefer to read the current Newsletter edition online, you can find it on the website (www.news.wifo-gate.org) under April 2015. Please pass the Newsletter on to your own colleagues and networks - thanks!

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

Conferences

Call for papers: Conference on the professional baccalauréat
The professional approach to the baccalauréat and the increase in levels of education: thirty years of the "pro" baccalauréat. Educational policies, school standards and the labour market
Organized on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the "bac pro", this multidisciplinary conference looks at the fate of the emblematic French vocational qualification and beyond to address four different issues in an international comparative perspective. 1 - The first issue concerns the "bac pro", its specialties and its curricula, its students and teachers. 2 - The second issue questions the position of the "bac pro" within the vocational track and more broadly within the educational system, in relation to general and higher education diplomas. 3 - The third topic considers the definition of programs and degrees with regard to the labour market. 4 - The fourth issue addresses the future of VET students and modes of diploma recognition in the labour market. A comparative perspective is welcome, given especially that European recommendations on education, training and certification increasingly play a role in national educational reforms. The conference will take place at the University of Lille 3, from November 17th to 19th, 2015. Proposals in English or French (4000 characters at most) should be sent by April 30th, 2015, to [email protected].  
(Info received from Léna Krichewsky <[email protected]>)

Call for Papers: Researching Work and Learning - Update
9th International Conference on Researching Work and Learning (RWL9) 9-12 December 2015, School of the Arts Singapore
We cordially invite you to contribute to RWL9 by sharing your knowledge, experience and insight with international conference delegates. The conference theme of RWL9 is "Work and Learning in the Era of Globalisation: Challenges for the 21st Century". We welcome submissions for individual papers, symposia, round table and poster presentations. Deadline for abstracts is 19 April 2015 (Sunday). More information on RWL9 is available at www.rwl2015.com. If you have any queries about this Call for Papers, please contact us at [email protected].
(Info received from Sze Min <[email protected]>)

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

Call for papers: International HRD conference - Extended deadline
16th International Conference on Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, at University College Cork, Ireland from the 3rd - 5th June 2015.  The theme of the conference: Towards Evidence Based HRD Practice (www.ufhrd2015.org)
Due to numerous requests for extensions, the final paper submission deadline has been extended to 5pm GMT, Tuesday 7th April.  Please note that at least one author for each paper must have registered by that date in order for the paper to be scheduled for presentation and included in the conference proceedings.
(Posted by Ronan Carbery <[email protected]> via UF HRD mailing list)

Call for papers: INAP conference - Update
The INAP Network on Innovative Apprenticeship invites you to the forthcoming conference in Ballarat (Australia) September 1-2, 2015. The theme of the conference, hosted by the Federation University Australia, is "Architectures for apprenticeship: Achieving economic and social goals". Abstracts are due by April 17th 2015. Enquiries can be made to [email protected]. More information about INAP http://www.inap.uni-bremen.de/ including Call for Papers
(Info received from Ursel Hauschildt <[email protected]>)

Call for papers: Professionalisation of adult educators - Reminder alert
"The role of higher education in the process of professionalisation of adult educators" - 4th Biennial meeting of the ESREA Research Network for Adult Educators, Trainers and their Professionalisation (ReNAdET) 11-13 November 2015, Cyprus, organised by the Open University of Cyprus (OUC)
A limited number of papers (max. 50) will be presented. An interactive workshop on the theme "Teaching Narratives" in higher education institutions will also be organised. Deadline for submission of paper proposals: 14th June 2015. A website for the conference registration will be opened in May/June 2015. It will be accessed from the RENADET website (www.esrea-renadet.net). For questions and expression of interest, please contact Maria Cravani ([email protected]) or [email protected]
(Info received via ESREA-ReNAdET mailing list)

Your guide: Who's who in transnational European VET and HRD research
The Directory of Professional Contacts (www.dpc.wifo-gate.org), maintained by the Research Forum WIFO, serves as a Who's who, offering up-to-date information on more than 200 contacts across 30 countries in the field of transnational European VET and HRD research. Each person included in the DPC is both a producer of transnational research and an active transnational networker. The criteria for inclusion in the DPC and and the references to individual professional work are explained in the introduction. They relate to evidence of transnational activities presented in WIFO resources of European collaboration such as the Bookshelf, Overview of articles, Conference page, ECER VETNET Proceedings and Overview of HRD conference papers, Networks at a glance and Overview of projects. The DPC is updated continuously as part of European collaboration in VET and HRD research.
(Contributed by Sabine Manning)

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

International MA Degree in Adult Education for Social Change
This International Master is a joint degree delivered and awarded by four universities: the University of Glasgow (UK), the University of Malta, the Open University of Cyprus and Tallinn University (Estonia). The programme aims to deliver a curriculum that enables people to work with adults effectively and competently in changing socially diverse contexts. A distinctive feature of this programme is the connection between theory and practice, gained through focused placements and mobility periods between the partner universities. You will receive a theoretical grounding in adult education, as well as intercultural and practical skills development through teaching placements, focused seminars and online courses. It draws together the recognised strengths of the consortium partners into a relevant, joint degree that engages with and responds to such issues as social inequality, migration and intercultural cooperation. Courses are delivered in Glasgow, Malta and Tallinn. We ask you to apply online via the University of Glasgow. The online application and the guide to applying online will be available later. Deadlines: International applications (non-EU) 24 July 2015; EU applications 28 August 2015. Contact: at Cyprus: Dr Maria N. Gravani, [email protected]; at Glasgow Dr Bonnie Slade [email protected]
(Info received via ESREA mailing list)

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

Survey on recognition of volunteering by employers
EUCIS-LLL is a partner in the project GR-EAT, which aims to support young volunteers in having their voluntary experience better recognised by employers. We are carrying out research among employers in all types of organisations (public, private and non-profit) to find out about their needs and expectations regarding the recognition of non-formal and informal learning taking place within youth organisations. The final project outcome will be to develop guidelines for youth organisations and produce policy recommendations to improve the recognition of volunteering. The questionnaire should not take you more than 10 minutes and is open until 30 April. We sincerely hope you will find time to answer the survey and share it with employers you know. By doing that, you will contribute to employer recognition of volunteering experience and building the future of learning. Thank you in advance! EUCIS-LLL Secretariat <[email protected]> www.eucis-lll.eu
(Received via EUCIS-LLL mailing list <[email protected]>)

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: Sabine Manning
 

Publications

HRDI Call for Papers: Good Leadership
Human Resource Development International: Special Issue: Good Leadership: A Matter of Learning, Development, Practice or Skepticism? Guest Editors: Anders Örtenblad, Jacky Hong, Robin Snell. Submission Deadline: September 01, 2015
Leadership remains a perennial pre-occupation. There are thousands of research articles on leadership, and hundreds of books. HRDI has already published several dozen papers on leadership. Yet we remain disappointed with, dismayed about, and even frightened of our leaders. Still, we hope for better days. And we invite academics and practitioners to contribute to this special issue on leadership education and development. We have three broad aims. Our first is to build models, which take account of lessons from prior mistakes and tragedies that have arisen from over-romanticizing the leadership role, and which are oriented toward inclusion, participation, and social responsibility. Our second aim is to assemble some cutting-edge research papers on leadership education, development and practice that help us to understand how to provide education or mentorship that contributes positively to benign and effective leadership. Third, we aim to attract contributions that explain and justify the value of novel or paradigm-breaking perspectives on the learning and practice of effective leadership. For additional information or to discuss a potential proposal or idea for a paper please contact: [email protected]. Please be sure to follow the author guidelines provided on the HRDI website.
(Received from Valerie Anderson <[email protected]> via UF HRD mailing list)

The Routledge Companion to Human Resource Development
Edited by Rob F. Poell, Tonette S. Rocco, Gene L. Roth; Routledge 2015 [Details]
The field of HRD has grown in prominence as an independent discipline from its roots in both management and education since the 1980s. There has been continual debate about the boundaries of HRD ever since. Drawing on a wide and respected international contributor base and with a focus on international markets, this book provides a thematic overview of current knowledge in HRD across the globe. The text is separated into nine sections, which explore the origins of the field, adjacent and related fields, theoretical approaches, policy perspectives, interventions, core issues and concerns, HRD as a profession, HRD around the world, and emerging topics and future trends. An epilogue rounds off the volume by considering the present and future states of the discipline, and suggesting areas for further research.
(Info received from Rob Poell <[email protected]> via University Forum for HRD mailing list)

Human Resource Development: A Concise Introduction
Ronan Carbery and Christine Cross (eds); Palgrave Macmillan, April 2015 [Details]
This book, edited in the Concise Introduction series, has a skills-building, practical focus yet is underpinned by the latest academic research. Highly engaging and accessible, it brings the subject to life through innovative learning tools including videos and active case studies, alongside a range of international examples. Reviews for the book include: "The authors have expert knowledge of the field and skilfully analyse the complex relationship between HRM and HRD in a way that is rarely explored in other texts. The book offers a welcome new dimension to the subject and succeeds in integrating theory with a questioning of taken-for-granted assumptions. This balancing of simplicity with complexity and breath with depth makes an ideal introductory text for all students studying people management, including executive MBAs." - Aileen Lawless, Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
(Contributed by Ronan Carbery <[email protected]>)

Competence in Higher Education and the Working Environment
National and International Approaches for Assessing Engineering Competence. Frank Musekamp/Georg Spöttl (2014) (eds). Peter Lang[Details]
Good teaching at universities has gained considerable importance within the last few years. This is especially relevant with regard to the high drop-out rates, above all in engineering sciences. At the moment, however, there is a lack of empirically valid instruments for the assessment of the impact of good teaching on the students' learning results. This volume, published in both English and German, presents current conceptual and empirical work with a focus on methodology and its didactical application in university teaching.
(Contributed by Frank Musekamp <[email protected]> and Georg Spöttl <[email protected]>)

Comparative study on professional knowledge of prospective teachers
Sabine Fritsch, Stefanie Berger, Jürgen Seifried, Franziska Bouley, Eveline Wuttke, Kathleen Schnick-Vollmer and Bernhard Schmitz (2015). The impact of university teacher training on prospective teachers' CK and PCK - a comparison between Austria and Germany. Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training. Volume 7 Issue 4 [Details]
As teacher training plays a major role in the development of (prospective) teachers' knowledge, differences between the professional knowledge of prospective teachers at Austrian and German universities were examined in the current study. The teacher training systems of business and economic education in both countries differ substantially regarding structure and content. The German system consists of two consecutive phases with different foci (university education with an emphasis on theories and domain-specific knowledge, followed by school-based practical training with the objective of acquiring practical experience). In contrast, Austrian universities offer an integrated approach that combines the two phases (i.e., theoretical input and practical teaching experience are closely linked) at the university level. A paper-and-pencil test was used to measure content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in the domain of accounting of prospective teachers in Germany and Austria. The total sample consists of n = 1,401 prospective teachers from German and Austrian universities. Taking the structural differences in teacher education into account, differences in CK and PCK between German and Austrian prospective teachers were expected. Our data confirm these differences.
(Contributed by Sabine Fritsch <[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 1400 experts in 40 countries (mostly Europe);
Details and Archive of the L&W Newsletter [www.news.wifo-gate.org].