The Higher Education SIG are currently looking to recruit another convenor. The Higher Education SIG is quite large and always receives a large number of submissions for conference. This year it received the highest numbers of papers submitted by a SIG.

Being a SIG Convenor for BERA is an important and valued role. The main role of the SIG Convenor is to co-ordinate, oversee and develop the mission and activities of the particular SIG. SIG Convenors also plan the events programme for the SIG. This year we a very successful event: Researching Higher Education: investigating inequalities on the 21st May 2014.

One of the main areas is around the BERA Annual Conference. SIG Convenors roles include:
•             recruit volunteers to review abstracts/submissions
•             review ‘problematic’ abstracts/papers or in cases where a reviewer has not  completed reviews
•             manage associated deadlines
•             organise and group accepted SIG papers and symposia for the annual conference timetable
•             promote the SIG aims at the conference
•             encourage effective and efficient chairing of SIG sessions
•             chair a SIG business meeting
•             attend the SIG Convenors’ meeting

All new SIG Convenors will receive a handbook with all the information to assist them, and BERA will also provide an induction day.

If you like further details of the role of the SIG Convenor, please contact Pete Boyd at: pete.boyd@cumbria.ac.uk

To apply for this role, please forward a covering statement, outlining why you would like to become a SIG Convenor to membership@bera.ac.uk. Statements must be received by Monday 4th August 2014.

You are all invited to the SIG Committee Meeting to be held during the Annual Conference on Tuesday 23rd September 2014, 16.15-17.00. During this meeting we will discuss the following:
Discuss and confirm the new convenor position
SIG event planned for Spring 2015, and any other suggestions for other meetings the SIG can run next year
Review the range of papers at conference
Discuss developments in the field