The Centre for the Study of Practice and Culture in Education (CSPACE) Conference 2025

Birmingham City University's 2030 Strategy underscores a commitment to creating opportunities, advancing social justice, and driving innovation. The Centre for the Study of Practice and Culture in Education (CSPACE) embodies this vision, serving as an inclusive and interdisciplinary research community that bridges all phases of education and related policy fields. The 2025 CSPACE Conference celebrates the transformative impact of educational research, showcasing its role in shaping the future of education and society. This conference is a space to share our work, forge meaningful connections, and explore how research drives innovation, equity, and social justice in education and beyond.

Call for Submissions

The CSPACE conference invites submissions from across disciplines and career stages, offering an opportunity for practitioners, researchers, students, and doctoral candidates to:

• Share insights and findings from their educational research
• Highlight innovative approaches and methodologies
• Explore the potential of education research to tackle global challenges 

We welcome contributions on topics such as:

• Teaching and learning practices across subjects and contexts
• Innovative methodologies for fostering creativity, collaboration, and inclusion in education
• Equity and access in formal, informal, and non-formal educational settings
• The role of education in addressing global challenges, such as inequality, and social sustainability
• Teacher education and professional development

A Collaborative Vision

This year’s conference is designed to highlight the diverse range of research within CSPACE and the College of Education, fostering a collaborative and open research culture where every voice is valued. Presenters and attendees will have the opportunity to connect across career stages and disciplines, identifying synergies, sharing knowledge, and learning from one another.

Key Information

• Cost: There is no fee to attend or present at this conference.
• Eligibility: Submissions are welcome from BCU staff, students, and external contributors in any area of education practice, policy, or theory, using any methodological approach.

Conference format and call for abstracts.

There are four different types of presentation format, and you are welcome to submit more than one abstract, but you will need to complete a separate pro-forma for each submission.

1. Traditional presentation (for key findings or emerging findings)
2. Lightening talk or think piece (about existing research or thinkpiece)
3. Round table discussion (max 8 panellists discussing a theme)
4. Workshop (led by experienced researcher around an aspect of their research or data analysis)

Presentation Formats

1. Traditional conference presentation

Format: 20 mins research presentation, 10 mins discussion. Please submit a 150 word abstract outlining the content of your presentation including key findings or emerging findings

2. Lightning talks

Format: 5 minute talk focusing on key points. (maximum 5 powerpoint slides). Please submit a 150 word summary of your proposed talk

3. Round table discussion

Format: 45 min roundtable discussion around a key theme (maximum 8 panellists per table). Please submit an abstract (150 words) outlining your contribution to a round table discussion.

4. Workshops

Format: An opportunity for experienced researchers to lead an interactive workshop in which participants will explore and engage with an aspect of your research or data analysis (45 mins). Please submit a 150 word summary of the proposed workshop you would like to lead including your experience in the area and the interactive aspects of the session

How to submit: Please send your abstract proposals by April 11th 2025 to emma.kettle@bcu.ac.uk