Submissions are welcome from all those interested and involved in research in Jewish education, encompassing quantitative and qualitative research (demography, ethnography, case studies, narrative inquiry, surveys, philosophical, conceptual, theoretical, historical, etc.) on topics of relevance to Jewish education in the UK (subject matter, curriculum, teaching and learning, leadership, administration, policy, financing, teacher education, sociology, culture, identity, community, etc.) in any setting (schools, synagogues, camps, higher education, adult education, informal learning contexts, popular culture, etc.).

The conference will provide a forum for researchers and practitioners in Jewish education to present and discuss current and recent research.

Submission of Presentation Proposals

Submissions must be received by February 15th 2010.
Notification of acceptance will occur on or around March 15th 2010.

Presentation and Submission Formats

Submissions will be considered for three different formats: Papers, Spotlight Sessions, and Consultations. Each format is described below. Participants should indicate their preference for format. Submissions should be up to 500 words long, exclusive of reference lists.

1. Papers: Presentations of Completed/Nearly Completed Work

Presentation Format: This format is best suited for completed or very nearly completed work. Presenters will have approximately 20 minutes to share their work. Please note: You are strongly encouraged to make an interactive presentation of findings rather than verbatim reading of papers. After the presentations, discussion and reactions from the audience will take place.

Submission Format: Each Paper submission should include the following components:

• Focused statement of the research issue(s)
• Theoretical framework and/or review or relevant literature
• Description of research design and method
• Results/findings
• Analysis
• Statement of relevance to field of Jewish education/community

2. Spotlight Sessions: Open Dialogue about Major Issues

Presentation Format: Spotlight Sessions are intended to spark dialogue and broaden thinking on key issues in Jewish education and Jewish community research. Examples of Spotlight Sessions include: a critical conversation about a controversial policy issue related to Jewish education, a think tank guided by a panel of experts on a critical issue facing the Jewish education field, or a workshop highlighting particular methods of research and/or practice in Jewish education. These sessions should a) seek to foster discussion about important issues b) be organized around a well-formulated
question, and c) include presentations, experiential learning activities, and discussion.

A convener and two or more discussants will comprise each Spotlight Session. It is recommended (though not required) that Spotlight Sessions include presenters from different institutions, disciplines, and/or perspectives, so as to represent a variety of backgrounds and stances on the issues at hand.

The convener is responsible for articulating the focusing questions, working with the discussants to shape the session, and coordinating the presentation and interactive activities. Spotlight Sessions will last approximately 1½ hours; to include activity and discussion with participants. The convener must submit a description of the session, including all its constituent components (question, presentations, learning activities, discussion).

Submission Format: Each Spotlight Session submission should include the following (up to 500 words recommended):

• Clear statement of focusing question(s) and its significance to Jewish education practice or theory
• Theoretical and/or conceptual issues to which the question points
• Outline of session plan, including descriptions of presentation and interactive activity
• Name of convener and discussants and contribution of each to the session

3. Consultations: Conversation on Initial Ideas or Works in Progress

Presentation Format: This format allows for presenters to consult with peers about works in progress, ideas in the initial stage of formation, or research that is not ready for final exposure. Presenters should bring a 1-2 page précis with a summary of their ideas, questions, or initial findings, together with a series of open questions to which they hope to solicit responses and feedback from the participants. These questions may relate to research design, methodology, problem focus, findings and their interpretation, and/or implications of the research. This format will allow for extended conversations on the
researcher’s work, creating opportunities for diverse feedback, cross-germination of ideas, and the experience of a variety of different research ideas. Each consultation should be planned to last 20 minutes.

Submission Format: Consultation submissions (up to 500 words recommended) should describe the research project that will be the subject of the consultation, including the theoretical framework, the research question(s) if developed, the methodology if determined, and information about the stage of the project at the time of the conference. The proposal should specify the desired outcome of the consultation, and if possible, some guiding questions that will structure the conversation.

Your Completed Submission Consists Of…

An email to Dr. Helena Miller This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it attaching a narrative description of your proposed presentation (as described above), as a separate attachment to the email.

If you would like to discuss your proposed submission or would like further details, please contact Helena Miller This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you would like to book a place to attend the Research Conference, please contact Ruth Etzioni This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information on UJIA, visit their website.