This year’s invited BERA symposium at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association was another great success. This year the conference was held in Chicago.

The symposium selected by BERA this time grew out of the 40th anniversary project on Respecting Children and Young People, which had also generated the publication of the manifesto, A Fair and Equal Education.

Ruth Boyask (University of Plymouth) put together a wonderful team of speakers to present papers under the title: “How can education policy respect children and young people? British social justice researchers seek new ways to inform public debate”.

The four papers each took a very different approach to the question – Ruth herself with Katy Vigurs (University of Staffordshire) presented on the development of the ‘Fair and Equal’ manifesto in the run-up to the General Election.

Ruth Lupton (University of Manchester) talked about the challenges of connecting with local and national policy makers through various public events in Manchester.

In her paper, Jocey Quinn (University of Plymouth), raised challenging questions about connecting with ‘disengaged’ young people and how researchers can make sense of their experiences.

Finally, Liz Todd (University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne) took up the ‘impact’ issue, explained the meaning of that word in the context of the UK’s REF and examined how that agenda may actually enhance a university’s civic mission’.

The two eminent discussants, Michael Apple (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Chris Lubienski (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) responded very positively, congratulating the presenters on their imaginative and challenging insights.

On behalf of BERA, thanks to all who participated and thanks also to the BERA members who came along to support the event, along with many delegates from the USA and from elsewhere.

Ian Menter, BERA President