The SRHE extends a very warm invitation to all who wish to participate in one or both of these conferences, by submitting papers for presentation and/or by attending as a delegate and contributing to the many different discussions and debates within this vibrant three-day event.

Conference Theme and Call for Papers

The theme for 2013 is Experiencing Higher Education: Global Trends and Transformations.

Higher education globally is continuing to undergo change at a rapid pace and the experiences of all participants, those who study and those who work within the sector are being transformed as a consequence. Presentations and discussions will explore global trends and examine what research into higher education tells us about the impact of these changes, with a particular focus on how higher education experiences are now evolving in a global context and embracing new technology.

The Conference will offer the opportunity to explore what it means, in the very broadest sense, to be part of the higher education academic community as a student, an academic researcher or teacher, a leader, a developer or other role. How are these experiences changing globally? In what ways and how effectively does one set of experiences complement and support others? What does higher education research tell us about these experiences and what have we learnt about the essential elements involved in constructing a productive higher education experience that develops the knowledge and wisdom needed to secure our global, social, and economic futures?

The keynote speakers at this year’s SRHE Conference will examine different perspectives on the global higher education experience and our speakers will explore the many different educational, social, political, financial and technological ways in which higher education is developing and diversifying. The presentations from over 40 different countries will help to explore the ways in which research into higher education contributes to our collective understanding.

The Society for Research into Higher Education takes seriously its role of providing an international platform for wide-ranging academic discussion and bringing together researchers from around the world to share and debate knowledge and ideas. Its annual research conferences offer not just an opportunity for the presentation of current research work and ideas in a variety of formats but also a highly participative forum in which researchers with a range of different perspectives and experiences examine and debate deeper theoretical and scholarly issues.

We will explore these ideas within the conferences, encompassing current debates regarding policy, globalisation, economic and social challenges, governance, leadership and management, pedagogic and learning development, quality and space management, the student experience, graduate careers, e-learning and public and private provision and examine how these factors impact on postgraduate as well as undergraduate study.

Call for papers: SRHE Annual Research Conference

The information which follows refers only to the SRHE Annual Research Conference.
There will be a separate Call for Papers for the SRHE Newer Researchers Conference, which operates to a different format and later timescale for submissions.

Presentation formats
You are invited to contribute to this debate in a variety of ways: by presenting a paper, sharing in a symposium based on your own and others’ research or scholarly work (including work of a conceptual or theoretical nature) or by organising a ‘round table’ discussion on any aspect of this year’s theme or your own research interests. This year we will also be accepting posters. In 2012 these proved a valuable stimulus to discussion as well as a practical means of sharing the work of newer researchers and work in progress. Empirical and scholarly research from a wide range of perspectives is welcome.

Research domains
Papers are invited for presentation under one of six broad research domains. Submissions must be linked with one of the research domains specified to facilitate the development of a thematically streamed programme and authors should choose the domain which fits most closely with the content of the presentation.

It is recognised that it is not always obvious which domain provides a best fit but authors are encouraged to submit proposals in the domain in which they would most like their paper to be timetabled. Papers will be timetabled for presentation within these research domains as far as possible.

Research topics
This Conference welcomes submissions on all research topics and the selection of papers for presentation is based solely on quality. All submissions should reference the research methodologies relied on in the research undertaken.

For 2013 we are running a new research domain on the Digital University, recognising that the impact of digital technology on all aspects of the higher education experience has the potential to be both swift and dramatic.

Author submissions
All submissions are subject to a rigorous and anonymous peer review process conducted by an international team of over 40 reviewers.

Proposals are invited for:

Individual Papers
Each paper accepted for an individual presentation will be allocated a minimum of 30 minutes for presentation and discussion.

Discussion Workshops
The number of abstract submissions to the SRHE Conference is high and in order to include the broadest range of high quality work submitted, contributors may be invited to present their work, along with other contributors, in the format of a discussion workshop. These workshops will offer the opportunity for short individual presentations of papers, and provide time for discussion of papers submitted on related themes.

Symposia
These provide the opportunity to present related papers on a single theme; the minimum number of papers is 4 and the maximum is 6 papers per symposium.  Symposia submissions can be made by one individual and all papers can be submitted together. Alternatively, a planned symposium can be set up and contributors may then add their papers individually using the online submission system. Proposals must state clearly the rationale for the symposium, the names of the convenor and/or the chair of the symposium, a discussant if appropriate; and the names and details of all participating presenters plus the title of each presentation planned.  The symposium proposal must include an abstract and a paper for each presentation.

Round tables
These comprise discussions of linked contributions for which there is an overall chair/discussant and a minimum of three paper presentations for each session. The Round table format may be especially suitable for ‘work in progress’ submissions, providing a platform for discussion with other researchers working on related topics.

Proposals for roundtables must make clear what links the presentations and must include an abstract and a paper for each presentation. The proposal must include the name(s) of the chair/discussant and all participating presenters.

Posters
Researchers are invited to submit poster proposals for current projects which are at the proposal stage, are work in progress, or which report on specific completed research projects. Poster proposals should include an abstract and a paper. If the proposal is accepted the abstract will be published in the conference proceedings and the paper included on the CD-ROM of all accepted work. Presentation of the work at the conference will take the form of a poster. Posters will be on display for the duration of the conference and there will be a timetabled slot for contributors to stand by their posters so that participants can come and discuss the research.

Call for papers - Format for submissions

To maintain the high quality of papers presented at the conference, and to ensure that the review process has access to a sufficient level of detail to take an informed view, submitting authors for all types of presentations are asked to provide a short paper for peer review in two parts.

Please note that both partswill be required at the point of first submission, but there will be no subsequent call for fuller papers for accepted proposals.

• Part 1 Abstract: a 150 word summary of the proposal which will be printed in the published conference programme and also made available at conference on the CD Rom.

• Part 2 Outline: a maximum 1000 word paper (not including references) to be available at conference on the CD Rom and conference website.

The Society uses a bespoke electronic submission process for the Conference and all the data entered at the point of initial submission flows through to the final programme. Authors are asked to take care that important information is entered carefully and correctly (e.g. email addresses and affiliations). Submissions will need to include; the title of the paper on which the abstract is based, the name of the authors and their affiliations as they should appear in the conference proceedings, the name of the person or persons who will be presenting the work at the conference, again with the affiliations as they should appear in the conference proceedings. Any co-authors who will also be presenting at the conference must be clearly identified in the initial submission. Submissions must be made under one of the research domains specified and authors should choose the domain which fits most closely with the content of the presentation.

Papers will be timetabled for presentation within these research domains.

Research Domains

• Academic practice, work, careers and cultures
• Higher education policy
• Learning, teaching and assessment
• Student experience
• Management, leadership, governance and quality
• The Digital University

Timetable for submissions

All proposals must be submitted electronically, via the SRHE website at www.srhe.ac.uk

Authors will find here all the instructions needed on what is required in making a submission.

The deadline for submission of all proposals for the SRHE Annual Research Conference is Friday 28 June 2013.

This submission date will enable all decisions on acceptances to be communicated to authors in good time for presenting authors to register for the Conference by 30 September 2013.

Conference Venue

Celtic Manor has gained the reputation of being one of the finest conference resorts in Europe and is set in 1400 acres of panoramic parkland in the Welsh Usk Valley. For delegates who wish to extend their stay, the resort offers many other activities which can be found on their website: www.celtic-manor.com

Location: Celtic Manor is only 90 minutes from London Heathrow, 45 minutes from Bristol and Cardiff-Wales International Airport and 5 minutes from the Severn Bridge (M4 Motorway). It is located close to inter-city rail services at Newport, with direct trains to Cardiff, London Paddington, and Birmingham.

Conference programme

The Conference programme will include a varied range of contributions as follows:

• peer-reviewed paper presentations, workshops, symposia, round tables and posters
• plenary sessions addressing the main Conference theme from a range of perspectives, with input from invited speakers of world renown
• a forum for international delegates to discuss and share research knowledge and interests
• themed discussion workshops exploring current research topics organised and led by convenors and members of the Society’s special interest Networks
• a linked one-day conference for postgraduate students and newer researchers in higher education to be held at the same venue on Tuesday 10 December 2013

Conference timetable and events

SRHE Annual Research Conference is a participative event at which delegates presenting their own work also participate in the discussions in plenary sessions and at the presentations of the work of others. Time does not allow for sessions to be repeated. The Conference programme is therefore planned on the basis that delegates will attend the whole event over the scheduled three days.

The SRHE Annual Research Conference will begin on the morning of Wednesday 11 December 2013. Registration is open from 09.00 and the opening keynote session will commence at 10.30. The Conference concludes with a final keynote address followed by the Research Directions workshops, which offer participants the opportunity to explore new research in areas of topical interest. The Conference will end after lunch on Friday 13 December 2013 (14.30).

The SRHE Newer Researchers Conference is a one day event and will begin on the morning of Tuesday 10 December 2013 and will end with a drinks reception in the early evening.

Networking with colleagues is an integral part of the SRHE Conference and social events are carefully structured to offer excellent opportunities for participants to meet and converse in a relaxed atmosphere.  This year, there will be a number of events:

• Welcome Drinks Reception on Wednesday 11 December, open to all participants at the Conference, followed by the chance to take dinner at one of  four restaurants in the resort and arrange to meet with specific colleagues or mingle with other delegates at tables set aside for conference delegates. For resident delegates this dinner is included in their conference fees. Non-resident delegates may also take dinner at the hotel on this evening for an additional fixed charge.

• Conference Gala Dinner on Thursday 12 December at the Celtic Manor Resort. There will be a pre-dinner drinks reception sponsored by Routledge/Taylor and Francis and the cost of the dinner (£42.00) includes a three-course menu and wine. The senior overseeing chef at the Hotel is an award winning restaurateur who has been awarded a Michelin star for his associated restaurant nearby.

Conference Registration

Registration as a conference delegate by 30 September 2013 allows presenters to take advantage of the early booking discounts offered and have accommodation at the Celtic Manor Resort guaranteed. It will also enable international delegates especially the opportunity to take advantage of the best travel deals.

The SRHE conference takes all the available bedrooms at the Celtic Manor resort. Later bookings may need to be provided with bedrooms at the Hilton hotel, which is close by and of an equivalent high standard as the conference resort. Conference registration will remain open up to the date of the Conference.

To register for the SRHE Annual Research Conference 2013 and/or the Newer Researchers Conference please register online here.

Special discounts on delegate fees are available to SRHE members. Early registration also attracts discounts and guarantees accommodation at the Celtic Manor Resort. After the early registration deadline date accommodation may need to be at adjacent hotels.

To obtain the ‘early registration’ discount and have accommodation at the Celtic Manor guaranteed you must register by 30 September 2013.

SRHE Membership

Non-members of SRHE wishing to take advantage of member discounts for conference can join the Society at the time of registering, or beforehand at SRHE Membership Information.

SRHE Membership offers a wide range of opportunities and important benefits; our highly valued SRHE NEWS, published quarterly, which provides a digest of news, comment and analysis from around the world; free and highly discounted journal subscriptions and access to research grants are just some of the many benefits.

Delegate Accommodation

Residential Rates
All delegates choosing the residential package will have single occupancy accommodation reserved for two nights, 11 and 12 December 2013. This package includes breakfast, lunch, teas and coffees throughout, the Welcome Reception, and dinner on the Wednesday evening, the pre-dinner evening drinks reception on the Thursday, attendance at all Conference sessions and plenary events and all conference proceedings.

Additional nights at the Resort can also be booked at special rates.
The Society has secured highly preferential rates for delegates taking the residential conference package and we strongly advise Conference delegates to take this option as it will represent a substantial saving.

Accompanying partners
Delegates who wish to bring partners are welcome to do so at a reasonable additional cost. Details can be found when booking on-line.

Non-residential Rates
Delegates not taking the residential package and requiring accommodation for the duration of the Conference will be responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements at prevailing commercial rates. The non-residential package includes attendance at all sessions and plenary events, lunches, teas and coffees and the Welcome Drinks Reception.

Day Delegate Rate
A day delegate rate is available for the middle day of the Conference, Thursday 12 December, only. This rate includes attendance at all sessions and plenary events, lunch, teas and coffees on this day only.

Further Information

If you require any further information or assistance, please contact the SRHE Conference Team: Email: srheconference@srhe.ac.uk