European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction
The European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction, or EARLI, was founded in 1985 to support research in the field of learning and instruction, providing conference and journal outlets for educational researchers in Europe. The non-profit membership association has about 2,000 members from over 40 countries.
History of the organisation
Since its foundation in 1985 EARLI has organised Biennial Conferences throughout Europe and continues to do so. The first EARLI conference took place in 1985 in Leuven, Belgium, from June 10–13.[1]
The first EARLI president was Erik De Corte,[2] who also was among the founders of the association. Renown European professors in the field of Learning and Instruction, including Heinz Mandl, Erik De Corte, Erno Lehtinen, Neville Bennett, Pierro Boscolo and Roger Säljö, met often at the meetings of the American Educational Research Association and during these meetings the first foundations for a European association were laid. Some 140 researchers attended the first EARLI conference, which drew a number of respected scientists such as late Dick Snow, the late Robert Glaser, Lauren Resnick and Bill Mc Keachie.
In 1999, a network of junior researchers was established in order to further their professional development while giving them an opportunity to expand their professional network. Annual events are organised for the JURE community supported by the EARLI office.[3]
Structure of the organisation
EARLI is governed by an Executive Committee (EC) which is elected during a general assembly which coincides during the Biennial EARLI conferences. A President is chosen from within the EC and serves a one two-year term.
Several Special Interest Groups (SIG) are available for the EARLI members and these SIGs also organise events for their members which are supported by EARLI. The SIGs represent researchers who study at least one and often several aspects within the field of Learning and Instruction.[4] Among the main goals of the SIGs is to improve communication between researchers active in a similar field. Each SIG has two coordinators who are assisted by a junior coordinator. Currently, EARLI has 23 SIGs, ranging from themes such as conceptual change, metacognition and educational neuroscience.
A permanent EARLI office was founded in 1997 in order to assist the growing membership and facilitate the organisation of conferences and other events organised by EARLI. The office is located in Leuven and currently five people are appointed here.
Journals of EARLI
- Frontline Learning Research - FLR
- Learning and Instruction
- Educational Research Review
- New Perspectives on Learning and Instruction
In addition, the journal Learning, Culture and Social Interaction is affiliated to EARLI, and EARLI runs a number of conference activities.
References
- ↑ "Previous Biennial Conferences". EARLI. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑ "Erik De Corte". Perswww.kuleuven.be. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑
- ↑ "Special Interest Groups". EARLI. Retrieved 2013-09-08.