Training and Events

Summer School in Applied Psychometric Principles (few places remaining)

13-09-2010 - 17-09-2010

Peterhouse College, University of Cambridge

The 21st Century has seen remarkable advances in the development of both theoretical and practical aspects of psychometric testing and test development. This has happened so quickly that many of those who considered themselves experts on testing are finding they are rapidly becoming out of touch with the new generation of psychometricians. This course is designed to fast-track those with an existing knowledge of basic psychometrics into the new world of modeling item and test data using Mplus, R and other packages.

ESRC Advanced Training Programme in Asset Pricing (few places remaining)

13-09-2010 - 17-09-2010

University of Exeter

This workshop is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council of Great Britain (ESRC), and is particularly aimed at, but not limited to, doctoral candidates in economics and finance. During the week in morning and afternoon sessions, participants will study the following advanced topics: the theoretical properties of stochastic discount factors and the absence of arbitrage; real option modelling, separating flexibility modelling from diffusion selection; asset pricing with jumps; asset pricing with heterogeneous preferences and beliefs; the limits to arbitrage, and asset pricing with institutional frictions.

How Do We Know Our Social Work Practice Is Effective?

15-09-2010 - 16-09-2010

Middlesex University, London, Hendon Campus, Room CG41

“ How Do We Know Our Social Work Practice Is Effective?” Evaluation Research Methodologies of Social Work Practice Including Qualitative, Quantitative and Service User Feedback TENTATIVE PROGRAMME FOR SEPT 15-16, 2010 LAUNCH AND WORKSHOP: Agenda Day 1 10:00 Arrival and coffee 10:30 Welcome Welcoming remarks by VIP representative of Middlesex University (TBA) Welcoming remarks by representative of ESRC (TBA) Brief introductions by social work project faculty who will lead the RDI research support groups (2010-2011) on their own research Dr. Claudia Bernard*, Goldsmith College, University of London Professor Donald Forrester*, Bedfordshire University Professor Lynn McDonald* Middlesex University, London Professor David Shemmings* Kent University Professor Susan White* Birmingham University 11:00 Systematic observation in evaluation of social work practice Professor Susan White*, Birmingham University 11:40 Coffee 12:00 Panel Chaired by Professor David Shemmings* Kent University  Comments by Past RDI Social Work Participants o Andrew Whittaker*, London South Bank University o Anna Fairtlough*, Goldsmiths College, University of London  SCIE and Social Work Research and SW practice o Professor Michael Fisher*, SCIE Newly funded Social Work Research Center with Offerings Professor Donald Forrester*, Bedfordshire University  ESRC and Social Work Research and SW practice o Professor Elaine Sharland*, Sussex University 1:00-2:30 Working Lunch (RDI groups are assigned for research consultation and support; lunch will be seated together at designated group tables for introductions) 2:30 Break Out Sessions  Analysis of transcriptions with computer programme used in an evaluation study of social work students group supervision with focus groups o Dr. Linda Bell*, Middlesex University • Evaluation of services using qualitative research methodologies o Dr. Kirsten Junge,* Tavistock Research Institute 3:15 Coffee 3:30 Panel chaired by Professor Lynn McDonald* Middlesex University on Evaluation Research and Evidence based practice:  Evaluation of Training in Evidence Based Parenting Practices for NAPP o Kirsten Asmussen*, Institute of Psychiatry  Dissemination research of proven practices in UK o Dr. Louise Morpeth*, Dartington Social Research Centre 4:30-5:30 Social Work Practice and Social Work Research in England Moira Gibb*, Chief Executive, London Borough of Camden, Chair of England Social Work Reform Board Agenda Day 2 9:00 Arrival and coffee 9:30 Panel chaired by Dr. Claudia Bernard*, Goldsmiths College, University of London Social work values & research ethics: issues of race disparities, gender bias and power in evaluation of social work practice TBA  University Ethics Committees and Race and Gender in Research o Professor Irena Papadopoulos*, Middlesex University Evaluation of social work instruction in UK, with a focus on comments shared by students on issues of gender and race 10:30 Break Out Sessions:  SPSS and social work research students: Using the SPSS to analyze their own changes in attitudes about quantitative data o Dr. Carmel Clancy*, Middlesex University o Dr. Linda Bell*, Middlesex University  Interpreting an evaluation report of social work practice using standardized instruments with established validity and reliability (SDQ, FES), paired t-tests for statistical significance, tables, bar graphs o Dr. Sarah Fitzroy,* Director of Evaluation of Families and Schools Together (FAST) Middlesex University o Aase Villadsen*, Research Fellow, Middlesex University 11:15 Coffee 11:30 Panel chaired by Professor Susan White*, Birmingham University Service user inclusion in evaluation research of social work practice o Professor Peter Beresford*, Brunel University o Ms. Jacqueline Walker*, author; consultant to social work at Middlesex University, Goldsmiths, Brunel and City University 1:00-2:00 Lunch provided 2:00-3:00 Panel chaired by Professor Donald Forrester*, Bedfordshire Univ  Evaluation research on social work practice o Professor John Carpenter,* Bristol University  Evidence based practice with local authorities: an evaluation study o Professor Geoff Lindsay*, Warwick University 3:00-4:00 Meet in RDI Small Groups again: Evaluation, discussion and feedback

Royal Economic Society Autumn School

20-09-2010 - 23-09-2010

University of Birmingham

Speakers – Professor Peyton Young (Oxford) and Professor Richard Green (Birmingham)

A plurality of multilingualisms - masterclass with Professor Alastair Pennycook

21-09-2010

University of Birmingham

In this paper, Professor Alastair Pennycook will explore the need not only to look at the diversity of languages implied by the label multilingualism but also the need to account for the diversity of multilingualisms that result from a serious engagement with contexts and uses of language. Several different perspectives drive this move: First is the observation that multilingualism, as commonly discussed, tends towards a pluralization of monolingualism. Monolingualism is decried as an aberration and multilingualism sanctified as a desirable plurality. The problem here is that this view of multinlingualism fails to question its own views of languages and their countability. Second if we take language ideologies seriously and engage not only with language diversity but also local views of language, we are pushed towards a more perspectival view of diversity which suggests that multilingualism must be locally contingent and therefore plural. And third, language use on the ground is often better explained in terms of the deployment of multiple and multimodal resources rather than the use of different languages. The question, then, is whether multinlingualism is best understood as a singular or plural concept, whether the plurality contained in the multi captures diversity of language use. A proliferation of new terminology seeking to capture the idea of plurality within a singular entity (diversity is taken as a given) while also emphasizing the idea of language as activity, has recently been put forward, including translanguaging, plurilanguaging, polylingualism, metrolingualism, urbilingualism, and multilingua franca. This plurality of ways of looking at language diversity will be discussed and evaluated.

3rd Annual Conference - Explorations in Ethnography, Language & Communication: Perspectives on Data

23-09-2010 - 24-09-2010

Aston University, Birmingham

The conference will bring together 130 academics from across disciplines who employ ethnographically sensitive approaches to the collection and analysis of language data. This event builds on successful conferences in 2008 and 2009, attracting an increasingly international audience interested in high quality academic debate, developing an engaged community of practice and facilitating research conversations and collaborations.

Managing and sharing social science research data

23-11-2010

Cardiff University

The programme includes guidance and practical exercises and discussions focusing on: • ethical and legal issues in data sharing and use • handling and sharing confidential information and personal data • informed consent and data sharing • anonymising data Participants are encouraged to contribute materials in advance of the workshop to ensure an interactive and topical approach. Such materials will depend on current research activities, but might include: descriptions of current research projects; sample consent forms used; data management plans; current or intending procedures for anonymising data; institutional ethical review guidelines on data sharing. This workshop is aimed at: ESRC award holders; postgraduate and new or experienced researchers in the social sciences and related disciplines; and members of Research Ethics Committees.

Residential Training Course for Postgraduate Students in Economic and Social History

08-12-2010 - 11-12-2010

Chancellors, University of Manchester