The ESERA Executive Board invites proposals from science education research groups to host the ESERA 2025 Conference. The proposals (in electronic form) should reach ESERA board member, Mariona Espinet before January 31, 2023. Prior to this date, questions about the proposal are welcome and can be directed to mariona.espinet@uab.cat
Proposals should contain the following:
• the names of the local organizing committee members
• the applicants’ names, institutions and a 2-page CV for each
• the proposed location of the conference (with a description of the venue)
• if the proposal includes help from a Profession Conference Organizer, details of that group’s role in the conference need to be included in the proposal
• details of previous involvement of the organizers in ESERA events
• details of previous involvement in event organization in other professional contexts
• a rationale (500-1000 words) indicating why the proposal should be chosen, including the scientific envisioning that the organisers have about the conference (in terms of possible themes and/or how they can characterise and give an imprint to the conference considering their context, etc…).
Items to note:
• Considering the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, ESERA is keen to plan for a range of options for the hosting of the conference. Hence, proposals should ensure that due attention is given to potential changes to the format of the conference. Plans for the conference must include three possible formats:
- full participant in-person attendance (traditional arrangements)
- full virtual participation
- a hybrid conference where there is a mixture of in-person and virtual attendees.
• Since a full virtual or hybrid conference will require extra planning beyond traditional arrangements, the organizing group needs to have the personnel resources and extra time as a part of their proposal. If the organizers plan on including a Professional Conference Organizing (PCO) group in their plans, that group needs to be identified in the proposal and their experience and willingness to simultaneously plan for all three types of possible conference arrangements, up until the summer of 2025, needs to be assured.
• Countries where the conference has not previously been held are encouraged to apply.
• The Board is interested in locations accessible (both geographically and financially) to a large number of European science educators. This includes sufficient extent of economical accommodation in the community for attendees with limited funds.
• A venue near or at the organizer’s university facilities can help with organization and planning.
• Sustainable transportation and venues are valued.
• Facilities need to be able to accommodate approximately 1600 attendees with a plenary room for about 900, 25 parallel session meeting rooms and eating facilities. Digital facilities for a full virtual or hybrid conference need to be explained. Please indicate if there are facilities for participants with special needs.
• WiFi needs to be widely available in all meeting rooms and gathering areas and be strong enough for simultaneous use by many participants.
• The conference is mainly self-funded with a small percentage provided by ESERA.
• Two principal organizers are expected to attend the ESERA 2023 conference in Cappadocia, Turkey.
• A brief description of the vision of the organisers about how the particular conference will advance research about science education needs to be included.
• ESERA is working on adapting a conference proposal submission platform that will be used in future years. The organisers should note that they will work with the ESERA Board to use the platform.
• A review of recent conferences can provide examples of fees and costs
https://www.esera.org/conference
The time-line for selecting the ESERA 2025 conference organizers
• Announcement call October 2022
• Applications due January 31, 2023
• Decision made at ESERA Board meeting in March 2023
• Two organizers of ESERA2025 Conference will attend the ESERA2023 hybrid conference in Cappadocia, Turkey (August 29th – September 2nd) and September 3rd, 2023 for an in person Board meeting
