Are you thinking about submitting a proposal for EDST Research Day 2025 but feeling stuck on where to start? Don’t worry—sometimes all you need is a little inspiration. This year’s theme, Education and the Machine, invites us to explore how rapid technological changes are reshaping education. But remember, you’re not limited to the theme! Submissions on any education-related topic are welcome.
Here are some possible directions to help spark your ideas:
1. Education and Technology
With this year’s theme, there’s plenty of room to explore how technology is transforming education. Some ideas:
- The role of AI tools in teaching and learning
- Digital literacy: Preparing students for an AI-driven world
- Ethical considerations in edtech innovation
- Online learning platforms and their impact on student engagement
- Surveillance and data privacy in educational contexts
2. Social Justice and Education
Education plays a powerful role in promoting (or inhibiting) social justice. Possible topics:
- Decolonizing educational practices
- The intersection of education and climate justice
- Anti-racist education: What’s working and what’s next
- Equity and access in higher education
- The role of education in resistance and liberation movements
3. Pedagogy and Educational Theory
If you’re interested in teaching practices or the philosophy of education, consider:
- Critical pedagogy and its relevance today
- Indigenous knowledge systems in education
- Reimagining assessment: Moving beyond grades
- Alternative educational models (e.g., unschooling, community-based education)
- Revisiting Freire, Dewey, or Adorno in contemporary contexts
4. Student Well-Being and Mental Health
Education doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s deeply connected to students’ mental and emotional well-being. Ideas include:
- Burnout in higher education: Causes and solutions
- Trauma-informed pedagogy
- The role of peer support in student success
- Mindfulness and well-being in the classroom
5. Policy and Leadership
If your interests lie in policy or educational leadership, you might explore:
- Policy responses to technological change in education
- Leadership in crisis: Lessons learned from the pandemic
- Teacher advocacy and activism
- The future of higher education governance
6. Creative and Alternative Research
Research Day is also a great space for non-traditional projects:
- Art-based research
- Documentary or film presentations
- Community-based participatory research
- Creative writing or performance that reflects educational experiences
Start with What Inspires You
If you’re still unsure, think about your recent coursework, comprehensive exams, or personal experiences. What questions have captured your curiosity? What projects have excited you most?
And remember: A simple question can be the foundation of a great presentation.
Need Help? We’re Here!
Our Graduate Academic Assistants (GAAs) are happy to discuss your ideas and help you prepare your submission. Reach out at edst.gaa@ubc.ca for support.
The submission deadline is February 21, 2025. We can’t wait to see your ideas take shape at EDST Research Day 2025!
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