Regent’s College hosts European Conference of Research Methods
2008
19th - 20th June 2008
Dr Peter Sharp (chair of ECRM 2008)
Some people may wonder in what ways Regent’s College reaches across
international boundaries and expands knowledge. Well… ECRM 2008 is
one way it has done so recently and is a marker for things to
come.
It was with great pride and joy that Regent’s College hosted
ECRM 2008 on the 19th and 20th June 2008. This was the 7th ECRM in
the international conference series and it was a great honour to be
host to this significant international research and learning event.
It is the first international academic-practitioner conference
hosted by Regent’s College faculty.
See Flickr photo set from the ERCM 2008 Conference
Workshops
The event started with the event "Getting Ready to
Submit your Dissertation and Surviving your PhD Viva" by
Professor Dan Remenyi and Professor Arthur Money. This session
entailed an illuminating explanation of the rudiments of PhD
examination and included questions and answers from the
international group of delegates and experienced researchers.
This event was followed by a pre-conference reception at the
Burns Hotel in Kensington. Delegates, Regent’s College staff and
the Academic Conferences reflected on the Dissertation Workshop,
exchanged ideas and registered for the conference.
Subject Streams
The conference was officially opened by Academic Conferences
International business manager, Sue Nugus and a welcome was given
by the Chief Executive Officer of the College, Professor Aldwyn
Cooper. The keynote speaker, Dr Jill Collis of Kingston University,
gave a very interesting and appropriate address on the topic of
"Business Research: an Opportunity
and a Challenge".
The conference then split into streams covering a wide range of
topics on
- Quantitative Methods,
- Qualitative Methods,
- Research Experiences,
- Grounded Theory,
- Research Paradigms,
- Teaching Research Methods, and
- Researching Sensitive Topics.
The papers presented including insights into new research in the
field of research methods. There were reflections of presenters and
questions and answers around these topics which related to the
changing global environment.
The presentations touched on a wide range of aspects of business
research including corporate blogs, ‘millenial students’, and
cultural implications of global research projects.
These exhibitors including Advanced Institute of Management
Research (AIM), QSR International and the Knowledge Network Centre,
an exhibitor from Regent’s College. Delegates gave their
views, took literature and signed up on contact lists.
Forums
In addition to this, the conference also included other forums
that provided stimulating conversation and exchange of knowledge
and views from delegates from all corners of the globe. This was
done in a number of different forums which included a Knowledge
Café chaired by Professor Dan Remenyi and on the next day of
the conference, a panel discussion chaired by Dr Peter Sharp.
The topic for the Knowledge Café was "How to Run a
Research Department in a Global Economy". Professor Dan
Remenyi explained the Knowledge Café concept and how it would be
run. Groups were formed which helped participants to get to know
each other in more depth whilst at the same time exploring a wide
range of aspects of the topic. The conversation extended the
thinking of all involved.
My Fair Lady
After the Knowledge Café delegates convened in Herringham Hall.
They then went for a walk across Regent’s Park to Regent’s Canal
for a boat trip and meal on My Fair Lady. The delegates, relations
and friends enjoyed excellent food and a trip down the canal. An
interesting after dinner speech was provided by Dr Richard Gregson,
the Academic Director of Regent’s Business School London, Regent’s
Colle
ge about the history of the College.
The next day began with a panel discussion. It was chaired by Dr
Peter Sharp and the panellists were Dr Ann Brown of CASS business
school and Justyn Trenner, the Chief Executive Officer of Client
Knowledge. The topic that the panellists considered was
"How should we Plan, Implement, and Publish research in
Business and Management in a Global Economy?"
Questions and comments were put to the panellists from the floor
and a lot of discussion focused on the issue of the impact of
culture on the provision of data in different places in the world
and how researchers should work in a global business environment.
Ann Brown and Justyn Trenner provided practical insights on the
topic.
Conference Close
The chair, Dr Peter Sharp, drew the conference to a close and Dr
Joseph Azzopardi, University of Malta, gave a presentation about
the venue for
next year’s ECRM conference.