BERA’s 40th anniversary has been an opportunity not only to celebrate the advances made in educational research over that time but also to reflect on how the association has changed in the way it manages its affairs. Using that reflection to develop new ways of working that are more appropriate for the ‘now’ rather than the ‘then’. We take the feedback we receive each year from our delegates very seriously and can now take this opportunity to re-think the conference format taking account of digital technologies that have become so much part of our lives. Our approach is to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary so BERA Conference will still be recognisable.

This year we are offering the opportunity to do things differently. Please read carefully the abstract submission section as there are opportunities for doing things differently at this year’s conference. We are particularly interested in sessions that create more opportunity for audience participation – one of the main reasons delegates attend. BERA Belfast 2015 is the place to be and I hope to see you all there.

Felicity Wikeley
Chair of the Conference Committee