Many thanks to all who contributed information for this edition of the L&W Newsletter. Particularly worth noting are calls for papers relating to: the MED DIET 2016 Conference, University of Algarve (see Conferences) and the European Journal RELA (see Publications), and a questionnaire for the IMPACT Project Online Survey (see Projects).

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 October 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 30 September 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 August 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

MED DIET 2016 Conference
The 1st Algarve International Conference on Mediterranean Diet: Health, Wellbeing and Tourism to be held at the University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal, 17-19 March 2016
The Conference is organized by the Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (www.cieo.pt) in partnership with the Chaire Unesco "Alimentations du Monde" (www.chaireunesco-adm.com) as a cooperative action between the University of Algarve and the Institute Nationale de Recherche Agronomique, Montpellier. In 2013, coordinated by the Tavira Municipality, Portugal together with other seven countries were able to promote the Mediterranean Diet to be awarded the prestigious UNESCO distinction of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its practice affects contemporary societies, improving their forms of social interaction. The meal is at the heart of this practice and the use of certain natural food products as well. It is important to know this social context in order to benefit from its multiple learning opportunities in fields such as: gastronomy, health, welfare, social coexistence and interrelation and land use in Mediterranean eco-systems. This conference aims to increase the awareness and understanding of the impact of the Mediterranean dietary way of life, as well as to disseminate the research work that is taking place on this subject. The Call for Abstracts and further details can be found on the conference website: http://cieo15.wix.com/mediterranean-diet
(Posted by Julieta Rosa <[email protected]> on behalf of Teresa de Noronha)

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

ESREA triennial conference 2016
In order to encourage the widest possible forum for the exchange of ongoing research activities, ESREA holds a European Research Conference every three years. The triennial conferences were held 1995 in Strobl, 1998 in Bruxelles, 2001 in Lisbon, 2004 in Wroclaw, 2007 in Seville, 2010 in Linköping and 2013 in Berlin. Now the ESREA 2016 triennial conference will take place at Maynooth University, National University of Ireland between 7th-11th of September 2016. Title: Imagining diverse futures for adult education: questions of power and resources of creativity. Details on registration, accommodation and submitting abstracts will be circulated shortly as well as published on www.esrea.org (see Conferences). 
(Info received via ESREA Newsletter c/o Sofia Nyström <[email protected]>)

ETF Platform for Continuing Professional Development
The European Training Foundation (ETF) has launched a virtual platform dedicated to Continuing Professional Development for VET teachers and trainers in South East Europe and Turkey.  The purpose of the platform is to share knowledge about policy and practice in CPD but also to encourage discussion and research.  The site already offers background reports on policy, and we are adding findings from teachers surveys, literature reviews and mapping reports. Check out the platform at https://connections.etf.europa.eu/communities/service/html/communitystart?communityUuid=f189282a-10bb-4071-84b0-3394f4f4b73d You may register to join the platform (ETFs Community Registration Form). There is also a call for action research demonstration projects.
(Info received from Julian Stanley <[email protected]>)

CVER at the LSRN Workshop
Sandra McNally introduced the Centre for Vocational Education Research (CVER) at the Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN) Strategic Workshop held in London on June 3rd 2015. The Network brings together those interested in research on vocational education and training (VET) and is an excellent platform for networking between practitioners, researchers and policy makers. The workshop was an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning and the Education Training Foundation (a presentation was given by Richard Atkins, Principal at Exeter College, and Jenny Williams, Director of Vocational Education and Training, ETF). CVER is pursuing a three year research agenda, which is scrutinised by our Steering Group, and is a dynamic process. Events like the LSRN Strategic Workshop enable us to meet practitioners and VET researchers of other disciplines, which in turn feeds back into the design of our research programme. It can also lead to interesting partnerships to test and evaluate policy interventions that can only be implemented with the help of other organisations. We are very happy to receive comments and suggestions on our activities and research, which can be sent to [email protected]. Further information see http://cver.lse.ac.uk/
(Info received from CVER/Jo Cantley <[email protected]>)

UFHRD Newsletter: The latest issue of the Newsletter (2/15) published by the University Forum for Human Resource Development (UFHRD) is available at http://www.ufhrd.co.uk/wordpress/ufhrd-newsletter-issue-2-2015/ It includes a report on the 16th International Conference on Research and Practice Across Europe, the Awards presented at the Conference, a range of items from Council and Forum members and Calls for Papers/ Calendar. Contact: Rick Holden <[email protected]>
(Info received via UFHRD mailing list c/o Rick Holden)

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).
[Back to Newsletter]

Programmes

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

IMPACT Project Online Survey
IMPACT is a research and development project that analyses web-supported learning and teaching in connection with the validation of learning outcomes. It aims at understanding how educational professionals use web-based learning environments and Open Educational Resources (OER) as well as approaches and instruments for the validation of learning outcomes in their practice. The project aims at creating a holistic learning and validation environment and interfaces between existing web-based learning and validation instruments. This system is to be developed based on the feed-back and the requirements from practice - therfore we highly appreciate your input and expertise. Please answer the online questionnaire available at: http://survey.bupnet.de/index.php/433349/lang-en The online survey on hand is distributed to more than 3000 selected educational experts in Europe. It consists of 4 parts: Introduction and statistical background data; Utilisation of web-supported learning environments and OER; Validation of learning outcomes and connection to web-based learning; Establishment of a web-based validation instrument to connect learning assessment and validation. It will take you approximately 15 min to complete it. Thanks a lot for your commitment! Your IMPACT team.
(Info received via ESREA ReNAdET mailing list)

REALTO - online platform to support reflection in dual VET systems
Dual track VET programs (implemented for example in German, Austria, and Switzerland) aim to connect learning in school and workplace contexts. The research project DUAL-T (dualt.epfl.ch), chaired by Prof. Pierre Dillenbourg and coordinated by Dr. Beat Schwendimann, investigates how innovative technologies can serve as boundary-crossing spaces between vocational schools and workplaces. Currently, DUAL-T researchers are developing a new online platform, REALTO. Time for reflection is often limited in the workplace. REALTO allows learners to quickly capture experiences (as texts, photos, or videos) and use them for later reflection activities. REALTO is being developed in an iterative co-design process with professional associations, teachers, supervisors, learners, and researchers. The REALTO community involves partners from different European research institutions, including Germany, UK, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. REALTO is currently in the pilot phase and is being implemented in different vocational schools. The pilot phase aims to identify the specific needs of different professions and adapt REALTO accordingly. REALTO will be made freely available to all European (and non-European) VET stakeholders. Link: http://dualt.epfl.ch/page-121584-en.html
(Info received from Beat Schwendimann <[email protected]>)

Results of GR-EAT Survey on Volunteers' competences
In the framework of the GR-EAT project (AEGEE), EUCIS-LLL led a survey approaching employers on how they value volunteering in recruitment (see L&W Newsletter April 2015). Led from February to April 2015, it gathered 131 responses destined to evaluate the recognition of non-formal and informal learning prior, for and during employment. Three mismatches were revealed: first, between the value employers give to volunteering and their capacity to assess it; second, between assessment tools and employers' knowledge of their existence, as well as correspondence to their needs; third, between the competences gained by volunteers and their capacity to highlight them to employers. Read the full survey at http://www.eucis-lll.eu/
(Received via EUCIS-LLL Newsletter #104 c/o <[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

RELA - two calls for papers
The next thematic issue of the European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults (RELA) focuses on "Marketization and commodification of adult education". RELA invites papers that critically analyse and problematise how marketization and/or commodification takes shape within adult education practices in diverse geographical locations and educational sectors, as well as papers that focus on what the consequences of marketization are on policies and practices of adult education. Lead editors for this issue: Andreas Fejes ([email protected]) & Henning Salling Olesen ([email protected]). Call for papers at http://www.rela.ep.liu.se/documents/CFP_Marketization.pdf - Submission deadline: November 1, 2015.
A further RELA call for papers deals with the "Social economy as an alternative to capitalism: Learning , solidarity and autonomy". Two types of articles are welcome: Conceptual or review articles problematizing aspects of social economy and solidarity, in terms of its multiple relationships with adult education and learning; Empirical studies which analyse social economy experiences and provide reflections of its education and learning aspects. Lead editors for this issue: António Fragoso & Henning Salling Olesen. Papers should be submitted to [email protected] and [email protected]. Deadline: December 31, 2015. Calls for papers and Instructions for authors at www.rela.ep.liu.se.
(Info received via ESREA mailing list c/o Andreas Fejes)

Francophone perspectives on learning through work
Filliettaz, L. & Billett, S. (Eds.) (2015). Francophone perspectives on learning through work: Conceptions, traditions and practices. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. ISBN 978-3319186696 [Details]
As English has become the dominant language of scholarship, there is a growing risk that concepts, traditions and practices from outside the Anglophone world will become under-represented, ignored or even lost. For instance, accounts of learning through and for work have predominantly been advanced through accounts in English. Yet, workplaces as sites for learning have long been emphasised in the Francophone world, which has developed distinct traditions and conceptions of associations between work and learning. Yet, whilst being accepted and of long standing in the Francophone world, these conceptions and traditions, and the practices supporting them are little known about or understood in the Anglophone world. This book seeks to address this problem through drawing on Francophone accounts from France, Switzerland and Canada that make accessible and elaborate these traditions, conceptions and practices through examples of their applications to occupationally related learning. These accounts offer variations and culturally-specific developments of these traditions, but collectively emphasize a preoccupation with how both work and learning need to be understood through situated considerations of persons enacting their work practice. In this way, they offer noteworthy and worthwhile contributions to contemporary global considerations of learning through work.
(Posted by Stephen Billett <[email protected]>)

The 'Erfahrraum': A pedagogical model
Schwendimann, B. A., Cattaneo, A. A. P., Dehler Zuffrey, J., Gurtner, J. -L., Bétrancourt, M., & Dillenbourg, P. (2015). The 'Erfahrraum': A pedagogical model for designing educational technologies in dual vocational systems. DOI: 10.1080/13636820.2015.1061041 [due to appear in an upcoming issue of IJVET]
Vocational education taking place in the dual contexts of workplace and school (for example in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria) often lacks integration of concrete experiences with theoretical knowledge. The interplay between workplace and school contexts and their often antagonistic priorities call for a specific model that transforms these divergences into learning opportunities and connects different forms of knowledge into an integrated body of knowledge that contributes to developing vocational competence. This paper presents a multi-dimensional pedagogical model, called the 'Erfahrraum', for the design and implementation of educational technologies as a way to foster this integration in initial dual VET (however, the concept of creating a digital boundary-crossing space to encourage reflections between workplace and school contexts is relevant to both dual and non-dual VET systems). The 'Erfahrraum' model informs the design of shared boundary-crossing spaces for capturing and reflecting on experiences made in different contexts in which VET takes place. The model particularly emphasizes the importance of shared reflection processes to turn concrete experiences into relevant integrated knowledge. Examples of implementations in different professions using a range of different technologies illustrate the power of the 'Erfahrraum' model.
(Info received from Beat Schwendimann <[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].