BSRLM

British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics

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The future of BCME: we need your views!

22nd January 2019 by Karen Skilling

In many ways, BCME 9 (British Congress of Mathematics Education) at Warwick in April 2018 was highly successful, with a large attendance, two substantial publications arising from sessions given, and generally positive feedback, though the breadth of choice meant some sessions were poorly attended, and there were long walks between others. BCME 9 also made very great demands on the organisers, and is a major financial risk – on this occasion shared by the Joint Mathematical Council, Association of Teachers of Mathematics and the Mathematical Association. A working group of the JMC’s trustees were therefore asked to undertake a review of BCME. As part of that, oral evidence was taken from a range of stakeholders and from those intimately involved in the organisation of BCME 9.

Historically, BCME began under the auspices of BSRLM, before challenges to its viability led to JMC taking over responsibility. There was agreement that BCME should continue as ‘an integrated programme of practitioner and research sessions in mathematics education under the auspices of the JMC, that encourages delegates to engage in areas they are particularly at home with and in areas new to them, combined with engaging and stimulating workshop, discussion and plenary sessions’ (to quote, in slightly adapted form, the vision for BCME9). Increased participation by teachers would be needed for it to become more fully effective as an interface between practitioners and researchers (for which it was cited as an example of good practice in the recently published report by The British Academy and The Royal Society, Harnessing educational research, section 4.5, page 76. There was also a desire to involve more JMC bodies in the event.

There appears to be a general desire for a smaller, shorter, more focussed conference which would be more affordable for attendees, less demanding to organise and a lower financial risk.  Accommodation should be unpacked from the conference package for delegates to book independently (with the possibility of negotiated discounts). This would give more choice of possible venues and types of accommodation. The administration of the conference would be put out to tender (the contractor might be a mathematical organisation or a commercial one). One way of running such a BCME would be as follows.

  • The focus would be on practitioner interaction with research and with developments in the field (BSRLM would play a key role in this as would other JMC bodies). There should be sufficient classroom relevance that teachers can access professional development funding and proceedings would be produced as a publication route for researchers.
  • The conference would be held over three consecutive days in June or July every four years. The three days would have overlapping foci:
    • mathematics education for 3-13 year olds,
    • mathematics education for 11-18 year olds,
    • mathematics education for 16+ (including 18+).

Many of those attending would do so for one day but the overlapping foci would encourage longer attendance.

  • Each day would have a separate programme subcommittee and the days might have different structures within a 09:30 to 18:30 envelope. The programme subcommittees would plan programmes and place less reliance on the volunteering of sessions; the number of parallel sessions would be limited to reduce the risk of very poorly attended sessions.
  • Lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments would be provided but delegates would organise their own accommodation and other meals.

Such a structure and timing might impact on participation in the BSRLM summer events, and/or other summer conferences; equally, the current Easter arrangement precludes ATM or MA from running their own Easter conference. The suggested division between days is one of several possibilities, none of which seems ideal.

So… if you have ideas about improvements to the above model, particularly in relation to impact on, or opportunity for, BSRLM, do please send them directly to Jennie Golding (j.golding@ucl.ac.uk).

The issue will be discussed at the JMC meeting on 19th February meeting, though later contributions are also welcome.

Dr Jennie Golding
Associate Professor
UCL Institute of Education

Filed Under: News

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BSRLM is for people interested in research in mathematics education and provides a supportive and inclusive environment for both new and experienced researchers to develop their ideas.

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Members of BSRLM can attend and present at our termly Day Conferences. You will also receive the three annual issues of Research in Mathematics Education published for BSRLM by Taylor and Francis.
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BSRLM is a national organisation for people who are passionate about mathematics education research. RTs are not endorsements. Posts by K Skilling

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
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Looking forward to the next BSRLM day conference at the University of Southampton- November 2nd 📢

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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2024.2388064
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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2024.2388067
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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2024.2401484
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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
4 Oct

Save the date for the next BSRLM conference - Sat 2nd November at the University of Southampton 📢

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drhelendrury Helen Drury @drhelendrury ·
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Only one more sleep until @BSRLM_maths conference at @LboroDME 🏫👩‍🏫

Who else is excited?!

@TFrancome @MarkBoylanEd @SmartJacques @USaad @Iro_XD @colinfoster77 @VolodymyrProsh @mathsacharya @B_Woollacott @sheard_simon @Tassaara

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
7 Jun

Interesting and stimulating discussion at the Mathematics Education and Policy Working Group @BSRLM_maths - summer conference @SmartJacques @MarkBoylanEd @GillRAdams @AlfColes

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
26 May

Don't forget to register for the BSRLM summer conference and New Researchers' Day taking place 7th and 8th June - registration closes 31st May. (Committee @AlfColes @CristinaMio11 @MandyLLiu1 @OuhaoC @SmartJacques @karen_skilling)

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oxunimaths Oxford Mathematics @oxunimaths ·
10 May 2024

The newly created UK-wide Academy for the Mathematical Sciences today appointed Oxford Mathematician Alison Etheridge as its first President.

The Academy's focus will be on mathematical sciences everywhere: in teaching & education, academic research, & business & government.

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
22 Apr 2024

The next BSRLM conference will be our Summer conference on the 7th and 8th June at Loughborough University. Please use this link to find out about registration and the call for session proposals. https://www.bsrlm-members.org.uk/pages/15-conferences

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scottishmaths SMC @scottishmaths ·
10 Mar 2024

CALL for PRESENTERS: SMC Stirling Maths Conference Saturday 18th May 2024. Open to all from across early years, primary, secondary and tertiary education. Fill in this form by **14 March 2024** https://forms.office.com/e/iPHkKqME0E

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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2024.2306928
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@BSRLM_maths
#iTeachMath #MathsEd #Maths #Research

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rme_resmathed RME Journal @rme_resmathed ·
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2024.2306633
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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
1 Mar 2024

Looking forward to meeting up online tomorrow at our Spring Conference...choose your sessions

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
5 Feb 2024

Professor Jodie Hunter will be the plenary speaker at our online conference on Saturday 3rd March. Please use this link to register and submit a proposal https://www.bsrlm-members.org.uk/pages/15-conferences

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
16 Jan 2024

Happy New Year to all members. Please note that our next conference will take place via zoom on Saturday 2nd March. Registration for session proposals are open - click here for more details https://bsrlm-members.org.uk/pages/15-conferences…@BSRLM_maths

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londmathsoc London Mathematical Society @londmathsoc ·
8 Dec 2023

The 2023-24 Round of LMS Early Career Fellowships are live, open to early career mathematicians in the transition between PhD and a postdoctoral position.

For further details ➡️ https://www.lms.ac.uk/grants/lms-early-career-fellowships

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bsrlm_maths BSRLM @bsrlm_maths ·
8 Dec 2023

We already have some interest for this Special Issue @RME_ResMathEd and the call for abstracts is open for another week so please consider making a submission Call for Special Issue 2025 Abstracts💡 https://bsrlm.org.uk/call-for-papers-for-the-2025-special-issue-of-research-in-mathematics-education-rme-contemporary-issues-in-mathematics-education-within-a-stem-climate/… Send an Abstract to rme@bsrlm.org.uk by 15th Dec 2023

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Day Conference Organisers:
Cristina Mio and Bohan Liu
Online Communications Coordinator:
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