Critical Pedagogy and Professional Practice in Youth and Community Work Education
The Association will be gathering for its 2019 Annual Residential Conference at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln. The small University campus, steeped in history as a centre for educational practice, provides a fitting location for us to explore the conference theme of ‘Critical Pedagogy and Professional Practice in Youth and Community Work Education.’ The conference will provide an open space to present, discuss and debate the changes, opportunities and learning from engagement in youth and community work education across the sector.
As we approach the end of a decade of austerity, the impact on the youth and community work sector has been extensive. Our constructs, assumptions and traditions have been challenged in the face of diminishing resources and conflicting priorities. We have witnessed a substantial shift in the delivery of services to young people and communities; an emergence of concerning social issues that are shaping young people’s lives; and a change in the character of Higher Education as a force for societal good.
The turbulence of the last decade continues to present critical questions for the role of youth and community work; and the function of Higher Education as a route in to the profession. Conference will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the status quo with a focus on critical pedagogy, professional practice and the future of youth and community work education.
This year’s conference will include presentations on workforce and education strategies from national agencies, including the recent report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs Inquiry in to Youth Work, and a series of seminars to share the research outcomes, learning and practices across our membership. The emphasis will be on dialogue, discussion and debate as we convene to refresh our commitment to youth and community work education in the 2020’s.
We are inviting contributions from members and affiliates around two aspects of the theme that embrace’s the breadth of research, learning and practice activity across our membership:
Critical Pedagogy: We invite contributors to present research and critical theory that provides a social critique of our practices in addressing issues related to youth and community work education
Professional Practice: We invite contributors to present on research, reflections and practices focussed on the development of professional practice in youth and community work education
There is an open call for papers and workshops on these themes that address theory, research and educational practice. Abstracts are invited using the proposal form and the deadline for abstracts is Friday 10th May. Outcomes and invitations will be confirmed by Friday 17th May allowing presenters time to benefit from early booking deadlines and to confirm support to attend from institutions.
We also invite members, affiliates and friends to join us as delegates in dialogue, discussion and debate. A full range of delegate packages are available, from full-board on campus to day attendance.
Visit our Conference Booking page for more details and to book directly online.