Particularly worth noting in this edition are calls for papers relating to the following international conferences: ESREA 2016 in Ireland, EARLI SIG 14 in Regensburg, UFHRD 2016 in Manchester and EAPRIL 2015 in Belval (see Conferences) and announcements for the ReNAdET conference 2015 and ECER 2016 (see Conferences), the Winter School 2016 in Würzburg (see Programmes) and the EUproVET conference 2015 in Groningen (see Projects).

Many thanks to all who contributed information for this edition and who sent helpful feedback. 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 December 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 November 2015 at the latest!

Should you prefer to read the current edition online, you can find it on the L&W website (www.news.wifo-gate.org) under October 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

ESREA 8th European Research Conference
First call for papers: "Imagining diverse futures for adult education: questions of power and resources of creativity". Maynooth University, National University of Ireland  8th-11th September 2016
The organisers especially welcome contributions that analyse and explore the relationship between power and creativity. The overall aim of the 2016 ESREA Triennial conference is to create a rich and layered dialogue about possibility and power, and to identify ways to engage with our field. By exploring questions of power and identifying resources of creativity, we hope to create a collaborative, critical and imaginative space in which participants can envisage and discuss a diverse range of futures for adult education. The conference will feature a range of discussion and presentation formats including plenaries, papers, poster sessions, symposia, workshops and roundtables. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15th January 2016. For further details see website at http://content.web.nuim.ie/esrea.
(Info received via ESREA mailing list c/o Sofia Nyström <[email protected]>)

EARLI SIG 14: Bridging Professional Development Research
International Conference: 8th EARLI SIG 14 Learning and Professional Development, 24-26 August 2016, Regensburg (Germany)
The theme of the 2016 conference is: "SIGnature: Bridging Professional Development Research". The EARLI (European Association for Research in Learning and Instruction) SIG14 Learning and Professional Development focuses on professional and vocational education and training and has a particular set of interests associated with learning at and for work. The nature of the research conducted by SIG members is influenced by various scientific disciplines and paradigms. The conference will consider how this variety of approaches can be effectively combined, what has been done so far to bridge gaps, and what can be learned from these attempts? Out of these deliberations should arise what topics are important for future research on professional development. An exciting programme of activities is planned for Doctoral students, taking place prior to the main conference. We are delighted to confirm Professor Andrea Ellinger and Professor Rudolf Tippelt as conference keynote speakers. The deadline for the submission of proposals is January 15th, 2016. Further information can be found at www.ur.de/earlisig14. We look forward to welcoming you to Regensburg in August 2016!
(On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, Elena Stamouli <[email protected]>)

UFHRD 17th International conference
Call for Papers: "Leadership, Diversity and Changing Practices in HRD in a Global Context"
The 17th International conference on Human Resource Development, Research and Practice across Europe will be in Manchester 8-10th June 2016, and welcomes papers covering the above themes. These will help to advance our knowledge and understanding of HRD, which are so relevant to the global workplace of the 21st century.  As in previous years, the conference will encompass all aspects of Human Resource Development, not only on the theme of the conference but also on wider agendas. Papers are welcome in all areas of Human Resource Development as follows: • Leadership Management and Talent Development • Coaching and Executive Development • Global, comparative and cross-cultural dimensions of HRD • Employee Engagement • Diversity Issues and Career Development • Workplace Learning Training and Development • Scholarly Practitioner Research • Learning, Teaching and Education • Critical Approaches to HRD - The deadline for submitting abstracts is  4th December 2015. Prizes will be awarded for the best papers and posters at UFHRD 2016. Please see the website for further information http://www.ufhrd2016.mmu.ac.uk/ Dr Linda Alker, Conference Chair.
(Posted by Linda Alker <[email protected]>)

EAPRIL conference on corporate learning
EAPRIL is a non-profit organisation that supports the collaboration between research and practitioners in the field of Education and Corporate Learning. Our upcoming event 'Moving Corporate Learning from Good to Great', will take place November 23, 2015 in Belval (Luxembourg). Representatives from international organisations, such as Danone (France), Bosch (Germany), Rentokil Ltd (U.K.) and KPMG (Luxembourg), are being invited to lead a transformational lab, accompanied by a leading researcher from the field of corporate learning. In this highly interactive format, solutions are co-created for your organisational learning challenges. The following labs are organised: 1. What is a truly integrated learning approach and how could it be implemented? 2. How can an improved approach to the provision of learning opportunity such as CPD transform the mind-set and requirements of regulators and internal corporate risk management? 3. How to support business transformation by enabling various co-creation practices? 4. How can a company align its internal organisation on diversity issues? 5. How can entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurship programmes enhance a company's performance and its adaptability to changes in the economic environment? 6. To what extent do social media practices of 'Generation Y (digital natives)' lead to new forms and practices of management and leadership? - More information? Check out www.movingcorporatelearningfromgoodtogreat.com
(Posted by Margaux De Vos <[email protected]>)

International Conference on VET research in Bremen 2015 - review and outcome
"Crossing Boundaries in Vocational Education and Training: Innovative Concepts for the 21st century", 2^nd- 4^th September 2015 in Bremen, Germany
Welcoming words from the conference organizers, Mr. Heidemeyer (Chamber of Commerce, Bremen) and Prof Gessler (Institute Technology and Education, University of Bremen), were followed by Mr. Joao Santos (Acting Head of the Unit Vocational Education and Training at the Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission), whose opening speech dealt with the European Commission's new strategic goals concerning 'Vocational Education and Training in Europe'. During the following three days, the conference participants were invited to attend 16 sessions with 48 cross-national research paper presentations - showing perspectives from more than twenty countries. A wide range of topics were covered such as the transition from school to work, work-based learning, the professionalization of teaching staff, using digital media in VET, the transfer of VET to other countries, quality assurance and training networks. Key notes by Prof Mulder (Netherlands), Prof Pilz (Germany), Prof Lasonen (USA), Dr Malloch (Australia), Prof Moreno (Sweden) and Prof Ramlee (Malaysia) brought the program full circle. An accompanying program gave a chance to deepen insights and to continue the discussions in a lively and personal idea exchange, underpinned by a limitation to 100 conference participants. The conference proceedings, which were given out in a print version during the conference, will be digitally available soon. Conference homepage: http://www.vetnet-conference.eu
(Posted by Susanne Kopatz <[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

ReNAdET conference: Professionalisation of adult educators
"The role of higher education in the process of the 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)
The Online registration is now open - please go to http://www.cyprusconferences.org/esrearenadet2015/registration.html 
This biennial meeting focuses on the important yet less discussed role of higher education institutions in both delivering academic programmes that provide relevant cognitive and professional skills and competences to future adult educators, and in being more actively involved in the current dialogue with regard to the professionalisation paths of adult educators and trainers. A limited number of papers will be presented. An interactive workshop on the theme "Teaching Narratives" in higher education institutions will also be organised. For questions please contact Maria Cravani ([email protected]) or [email protected]
(Info received via ESREA-ReNAdET mailing list)

ECER VETNET 2015/2016
This year's ECER (European Conference on Educational Research) in Budapest was very busy for VETNET (Vocational Education and Training Network),  featuring a joint session with the Higher Education Network, a poster contribution, six symposia and over 90 papers presented (final collection of papers see Proceedings 2015). VETNET was also very ably represented in the Emerging Researchers' conference. In particular, we are most delighted to announce a new Honorary Member in VETNET: our Finnish colleague and friend Pekka Kämäräinen (Institute Technology and Education, University of Bremen, Germany). You may find details of the ceremony, which took place within our Assembly meeting in Budapest on 10th September, on the Proceedings page (http://www.ecer-vetnet-2015.wifo-gate.org/).
Dates for ECER 2016 in Dublin are fast approaching! Emerging Researchers' Conference August 22-23, 2016; Main Conference August 23-26, 2016; Submission starts November 15, 2015; Submission ends January 15, 2016; Review Results announced March 15, 2016; Registration starts March 15, 2016; Presentation times announced June 15, 2016; Deadline registration and payment July 1, 2016. Elected Programme Chairs for ECER VETNET 2016: Christof Nägele and Barbara Stalder, in cooperation with Marg Malloch. We would like to encourage you to submit proposals!
(Info received from Marg Malloch <[email protected]> and Michael Gessler <[email protected]>)

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

Winter School on comparative studies in adult and lifelong learning

We are happy to announce the Winter School 2016 on Comparative Studies in Adult and Lifelong Learning from 3 to 12 Februray 2016 on campus Würzburg in Germany (homepage: http://www.lifelonglearning.uni-wuerzburg.de/startseite/). The Winter School is dedicated to analysing and comparing international and European strategies in lifelong learning. It is geared towards master and doctoral students from European and Asian Universities, mainly those who are enrolled in study programmes close to Adult Education and Lifelong Learning. We welcome an interdisciplinary approach towards these topics. As we have requests from several international colleagues, we will also organize a parallel programme for professors in adult and continuing education. As we are working on scholarships for Master and PhD-students, please invite your students to apply for a scholarship. Registration is possible online. The registration deadline (which also acts as a scholarship application) ist 31st October 2015. For colleagues and students who need a Schengen-Visa, we advise registration by the end of September. Contact for any questions: [email protected]

(Info received from Regina Egetenmeyer <[email protected]> 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

EDISON and EUproVET conference 2015
Final Conference of the Leonardo da Vinci ToI project EDISON and Annual EUproVET conference 2015 on 'Entrepreneurship in Education and training' 30 November 2015, Groningen (NL)
Entrepreneurship has never been more important than it is today. The current complex and insecure economic environment requires individuals who have capabilities for solving new problems through independent and responsible action. Europe's competitiveness, innovation and economic growth depends on being able to produce future leaders with the skills, attitudes and behaviour needed to be entrepreneurial and to act at the same time in a socially responsible way. But how can this be achieved? EUproVET and the EDISON team are trying to answer this question, and invite you and your colleagues to the final conference of the EDISON project on entrepreneurship in combination with the annual EUproVET conference 2015. What can you expect? In the morning session the theme of entrepreneurship will be introduced by some keynote speakers, whilst the focus will move to the achievements of the Edison project in the afternoon session, which will be highly interactive. Further information: The full program and other information will follow soon on the Edison website: http://www.edisonentrepreneurship.eu/ Questions regarding the conference can be directed to Manfred Polzin [email protected]
(Posted by Tanja Bacher <[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

New issue of IJRVET (Vol. 2, Issue 2)
The International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET) has just published a new issue. Topics are: Twenty Years of Basic Vocational Education Provision in Spain; Uncertified and Teaching: Industry Professionals in Career and Technical Education Classrooms in the USA; Current Practices at Polytechnics in Bangladesh and its Effects in Competence Development; Training Managers in the UK in World Skills Competitions. Please find the articles on http://www.ijrvet.net. IJRVET is a peer-reviewed Journal for VET-related research and provides full open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. IJRVET is the official organ of VETNET European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (European Educational Research Association) and is supported by IRNVET International Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (World Education Research Association).
(Posted by Susanne Kopatz <[email protected]>)

Working and learning in times of uncertainty
Bohlinger, Haake, Jørgensen, Toiviainen and Wallo (Eds.) (2015): Working and Learning in Times of Uncertainty. Challenges to Adult, Professional and Vocational Education. Sense Publishers. 244 pages [Link].
The book analyses the challenges of globalisation and uncertainty impacting on working and learning at individual, organisational and societal levels. Each of the contributions addresses two overall questions: How is working and learning affected by uncertainty and globalisation? And, in what ways do individuals, organisations, political actors and education systems respond to these challenges? The book is freely available online as an open access book! http://tinyurl.com/qzu65yr  The book is a result of the collaboration of the ESREA Work and Learning network following our latest conference in Osnabrück University in 2014. The network draws together researchers from the Continent, the UK and the Nordic Countries: http://www.esrea.org/working_life_network?l=en We invite researcher to join in the network! Please contact: Christian Helms Jørgensen, Roskilde University, Denmark, [email protected]
(Posted by Christian Helms Jørgensen)

Identifying entrepreneurial challenges
Yvette Baggen, Jakob Mainert, Thomas Lans, Harm J. A. Biemans, Samuel Greiff & Martin Mulder (2015). Linking complex problem solving to opportunity identification competence within the context of entrepreneurship. International Journal of Lifelong Education. Volume 34, Issue 4 [Details]
Today's working life is increasingly characterized by entrepreneurial challenges. Entrepreneurial challenges start at an individual level with the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities, which is acknowledged as one of the key competencies for lifelong learning. Since the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities relies heavily on the opportunity identification competence (OIC) of individuals, understanding the meaning of OIC is relevant. Until now, OIC has been explored in the young entrepreneurship research field. However, entrepreneurship researchers until now have not fully explored OIC. According to several authors, the research on complex problem solving (CPS) in the cognitive research field might contribute to understanding OIC. In this paper, we review the link between OIC and CPS by comparing the cognitive and entrepreneurship research fields. We argue that those who excel in identifying opportunities share core characteristics with high-level complex problem solvers. We propose to conduct empirical research in the future to investigate the relation between OIC and CPS within a work context, in order to gain more insight into OIC. We believe that the cognitive research field contributes to the entrepreneurship research field and provides a deeper understanding of the initial steps of the entrepreneurial process.
(Contributed by Yvette Baggen <[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].