Call for papers
Documentation as a tool for participation, learning and research
In Reggio Emilia, research represents one of the essential dimensions of the life of children and adults alike, a knowledge-building tension that must be recognised and valued. Shared research between adults and children is a priority practice of everyday life, an existential and ethical approach necessary for interpreting the complexity of the world, of phenomena, of systems of co-existence, and is a powerful instrument of renewal in education.
“Research made visible by means of the documentation builds learning, reformulates knowledge, underlies professional quality, and is proposed at the national and international levels as an element of pedagogical innovation.” Preschools and Infant Toddler Centres Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia Reggio Emilia (2010) pp 11-12.
Our 2022 Research Symposium seeks to create dialogue amongst a research community aiming to make reference to the system of values and principles which give shape to the educational project of Reggio Emilia. In doing so, we seek to honour our responsibilities to, advocate for and promote these values within Australian contexts.
Research topics and call for papers
REAIE is excited to announce its call for Symposium presentation proposals for this fully online event. We invite proposals from diverse early childhood education and care settings, primary/early years of school and community settings.
Documentation making learning visible
• As a strategy to inform policy and political advocacy
• As a context for rich collaboration
• Creating a context for listening, supporting our capacity to pay attention to children’s wonderings and curiosities
• Giving visibility to the hundred languages
• Inviting children’s agency (voice)
Documentation as professional learning
• Documentation inviting a relationship between theory and practice
• Providing opportunities for collaborative, critical reflection – highlighting the value of collaborative research as a professional learning opportunity
• Documentation supporting co-participative research between children and educators; between children and atelieriste; between educational leaders and their teams; between classroom-based educators and academics.
Documentation as progettazione
• Documentation guiding the design process (that is progettazione)
• Developing research questions; intentional observation; interpretation and re-launching projects
• Advocating for Image of Child (children’s voice and thinking) and the hundred languages
Documentation as evaluation
• Reimagining the possible – how could documentation be accessed as an evaluation tool?
• Accessing documentation to gather data for interpretation and evaluation of student learning and progress
Guidelines for submitting presentation proposals
Submissions must be received by 11 February 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by 25 February 2022
A registration fee of $200 per person will apply to all papers submission once notification of papers acceptance. A condition of presenting is that all presenters must be registered for the symposium.
Symposium presentations are scheduled in the program as 30-40 minute presentations and will need to be submitted no later than 9 May 2022.
Please read these guidelines and review the checklist prior to commencing your online submission. Incomplete submissions will not be submitted to the selection panel.
The following information must be included in all submissions:
1. Contact information
For submissions that include more than 1 presenter, please nominate the group contact person for your submission. Please ensure you include the group contact’s email address and phone number. You will also be asked to complete the full name, phone number and email address of additional presenters. Please click here + at the end of the line to add additional presenter’s information.
2. Presenter Biography
Please include a brief paragraph (100 words) which will be included on our website for the Symposium program and social media/promotional materials. If this is a group presentation, please include a synopsis of the group.
3. Presenter Headshots
Please include a headshot for inclusion in the Symposium program, website and or promotional materials. You will be able to upload files through the online form. If you experience any difficulties please send the files to nicole@reggioaustralia.org.au clearly marked with the name of the group contact. This is an essential part of the submission and incomplete submissions will not be submitted to the selection panel.
4. Presenter and Presentation Information
Title of your presentation
5. Presentation Summary: In no more than 500 words (including references), please outline:
· How your presentation makes reference to and amplifies the values and principles of the educational project of Reggio Emilia.
· The research question(s) with which you worked; what were you hoping to explore; theorists/authors to whom you refer.
· Collaborations which have supported data collection e.g., working in partnership with an academic/field-based practitioner; working in collaboration with tertiary students;
· What does your presentation hope to convey to the target audience?
Please include within the word count, 2-3 reflective questions to which participants which may refer when making decisions about participation.
6. Supporting photographs/drawn images: presenters are welcome to submit supporting images, please ensure that supporting photographs of/drawn images by children must have prior written permission from parent/guardian(s) at the point of submissions.
Please note: Any submission which aims to promote/advertise specific products, consultancies or services will not be considered for inclusion in the 2022 Research Symposium.
Please click here to download a pdf of the submission guidelines and a checklist.
