Newcastle College University Centre plays host to research conference

An annual higher education research conference is to be held in the North East for the first time this year.

Dr Nicola Watchman Smith, Head of Higher Education at Newcastle College University Centre, will be a keynote speaker at the Association of Colleges’ Higher Education Research and Scholarship Conference this May.

Association of Colleges is a national not-for-profit organisation representing further education, sixth forms and specialist colleges. Its annual conference, which highlights scholarship and research in the college higher education sector, aims to bring researchers and teachers together with students.

This, the fifth annual AoC HE Research Conference, has attracted UK and international speakers and will be split across London and Newcastle, with Newcastle College University Centre playing host to guests in the North on 10 May.

Commenting on the event, where she will present a talk titled ‘When Pedagogy met Scholarship: The (inter)active space of learning and teaching’, Dr Watchman Smith said:

“I’m delighted that Newcastle College University Centre is hosting Conference North, in partnership with AoC and Morley College.

“The conference provides a platform for college-based higher education staff to showcase their work while throwing a much needed spotlight on the fact that colleges are active in producing and disseminating high-level research.”

For the first time, the event will be free to any delegates interested in higher education and anyone can register to attend the conference at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aoc-college-he-research-and-scholarship-conference-north-tickets-56648439006

Other keynote speakers at the two events include:

• Gail Hall, Leicester College
• John Lea, The Association of Colleges
• Dr Becky Turner, University of Plymouth