Pre-symposium Emerging Scholars
3rd International Emerging Rural Scholars Summit
The 3rd International Emerging Rural Scholars Summit was held virtually on the 2 August 2021. This event was for scholars new to the field, graduate students, and early career researchers with an interest in rural/ small school education. It was held in conjunction with the ISFIRE 2021 Symposium.
The Summit was an exciting opportunity for emerging rural/small school scholars (new to the field, graduate students, post-doctoral students, and early career researchers) to meet other rural/small school education research scholars from around the world, present your work, and get critical feedback and advice from experts in the field.
Programme Overview
| Session | Overview |
|---|---|
| 9.30 a.m. – 10.00a.m. (GMT+1) |
Webex room and breakout spaces available to visit and chat |
|
10.00 a.m. – 11.15 a.m. (GMT+1) Welcome & Keynote Address |
Welcome to University of Highlands and Islands Dr Brian Boag, Acting Dean of Faculty Introduction to the Rural Education Research Student Group Keynote: Jayne Downey - The Opportunities and Challenges of Small School / Rural Research |
| 11.15 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. (GMT+1) | Screen break |
|
11.30 a.m. – 12.30a.m. (GMT+1) Lighting Talks |
5 minute presentations by attendees introducing their research followed by feedback/discussion |
| 12.30 a.m. -12.45 p.m. (GMT+1) |
Screen break |
|
12.45p.m. – 1.45 p.m. (GMT+1) Lighting Talks |
5 minute presentations by attendees introducing their research followed by feedback/discussion |
| 1.45 p.m. – 2.15 p.m. |
Webex room and breakout spaces available to visit and chat |
Lightning Talks
A Lightning Talk is a short (5 minute) presentation to briefly introduce your work/ current research project/ interest area/ or particular problem. This is not the same as a formal, conference presentation and your Lightning Talk does not need to align with the ISFIRE2021 threads. Each presentation is followed by time for feedback and discussion with the audience. You do not have to present to attend the IERSS, but we highly recommend it. For more information see the Lightning Talk Information for Presenters 2021.
To submit a proposal, use the Lightning Talk Proposal Template document and email to ruraledstudents@gmail.com.
Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis and presenters will be notified promptly of the decision.
While we encourage all interested attendees to present a Lightning Talk on their projects, you do not need to present to attend. If you wish to attend without presenting, please register accordingly on the ISFIRE2021 registration page.
Keynote Address
The Opportunities and Challenges of Small School / Rural Research
Professor Jayne Downey, Montana State University
Good research can make a real difference in people's lives. So, how do we conduct good research in small and rural schools and communities? We will examine the challenges and opportunities involved in moving from doing research on and about small and rural schools and communities, to engaging in research that is for and with small and rural schools and communities.
Consult a Colleague Workshops
Being a rural/small school academic is an exciting and important role. These interactive workshops are informal discussions about topics of interest that participants may encounter in their work in rural/small school education. Participants are encouraged to bring questions they may have in relation to each topic.
The workshops will all be held in the MacDonald Room during the parallel sessions of the ISFIRE Symposium.
Internationalising rural / small schools research
Internationalising rural / small schools research
Unn-Doris Bæck (University of Tromso, Norway) Session 1 Tuesday 3 August 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (GMT+1)
Countries around the world with rural and small schools have many similarities and differences and it is important that we learn from all of these. What are some of the considerations of working internationally across diverse contexts? What are some of the language nuances between contexts? How can we work to create networks internationally and incorporate these into our research?
Working with and for rural communities and small schools
Working with and for rural communities and small schools
Hernan Cuervo (University of Melbourne, Australia) Session 2 Tuesday 3 August 12.45 a.m. – 1.45 p.m. (GMT +1)
Any research needs to be conducted with the needs of the people and places we work with in mind. This talk aims to ensure researchers are prepared for their research journey with the small and rural communities they work with. What are some of the unique considerations of working with small and rural schools and communities? Why do these nuances matter?
How can we establish and develop appropriate partnerships / identify key stakeholders? How might we ensure the communities we work with benefit from our research?
Developing and maintaining rural/ small school research networks
Developing and maintaining rural/ small school research networks
Elisabet Öhrn (University of Gothenburg, Sweden) & Melyssa Fuqua (University of Melbourne, Australia) Session 3 Wednesday 4 August 11.30a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (GMT+1)
How can rural/ small school researchers create meaningful research networks and partnerships? In a post-COVID19 environment with increased restrictions on travel and tightened budgets from institutions, what are some tips and advice to develop productive networks? What are some of the benefits of creating international partnerships in rural/ small school research?
The methodology mountain: What matters in rural / small school research
The methodology mountain: What matters in rural / small school research
Simone White (QUT, Australia) Session 4 Thursday 5 August 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (GMT+1)
There are many considerations when thinking about approaching rural/small school education research. How can we ensure that rural people and small communities matter? What methodological approaches can we use to ensure there is a focus on the rural/small communities? How can we move beyond deficit approaches & viewing the rural and small communities as more than the place a study occurs?
Incorporating small schools research in your field of research
Incorporating small schools research in your field of research
Tanya Ovenden-Hope (Plymouth Marjon, UK) Session 5 Thursday 5 August 12.45 a.m. – 1.45 p.m. (GMT +1)
Thinking ahead and planning your career in rural/small school education research is important in this competitive job market. As a scholar interested in small school/rural research, how can you incorporate small school/rural education research into your job? What are some strategies for disseminating research to an audience that is unfamiliar with rural/small school research? What are some of the most appropriate journals and what are they looking for?
Ethical considerations when working with rural/small schools and communities
Ethical considerations when working with rural/small schools and communities
Cath Gristy (Plymouth Institute of Education, UK) Session 6 Friday 6 August 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 a.m. (GMT + 1)
Researching rural communities comes with a set of unique ethical challenges. How do you ensure anonymity in small communities? How do you recruit participants? How do you report back to participants & interested parties? How do you negotiate difficult topics and issues raised in the research? How do you manage relationships with participants both during and after the research?