The NordYrk Conference 2023 will take place at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Campus Bergen, Norway, 7–9 June.
Conference theme: The role of ‘Bildung’ in vocational education and training and professional higher education
Historically, the role of Bildung in vocational education training (VET) has been under pressure. Other drivers in society such as the economy, the demands of the labour market and efficacy have competed for a stronger position in education. However, the complexity of the societies has increased, and it is important to enhance discussion about VET and its practices in relation to Bildung.
Contemporary societies often put emphasis to academic education, as the labour market and businesses demand further and higher education and reskilling to enable adaptation in the latest technology, digitalization, and innovations. From the global perspective, transversal and generic skills are prioritized. The tensions between specific and generic competence are often polarized between the “vocational” and “academic,” or between practice and theory. Unfortunately, vocational competence is often understood as something in contrast to academic skills. When this seemingly oppositional perspective is taken, it might blur the concept of Bildung.
We think it is important to vitalize discussions about competencies needed in education and working life, as well as the relation between primary goals and specific vocational goals in VET and their consequences for VET and for professional higher education (HE) in practice.
Learning at work and in school-based VET/HE can be not only democratic, educating and liberating, but also authoritarian, rigid, and even suppressing. Therefore, we would like to promote discussion about the role of Bildung in VET and give room in the NordYrk conference for questions such as: How do teachers and teacher training open for dialogues and reflection? Are we leading VET and HE students into obedient instrumentalism? Do we promote VET students` understanding of their vocational position, and at the same time provide insight into a multitude of learning cultures and into the society? What are the relations between superior goals and learning aims to VET and what might be the consequences of these tensions in vocational practice? How do businesses and work life influence the interpretation of relevant subjects for VET and HE?
The Nordyrk steering committee hopes these questions inspire active discussions at the 2023 Nordyrk conference and welcomes contributions with different perspectives about Bildung in VET and HE, as well as contributions concerning the overall aims for the Nordyrk network.
Keynotes
We are proud to present three keynote speakers that have accepted to contribute at the conference:
Ph.D./post doctor Grethe Nina Hestholm, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Ph.D. Ruhi Tyson, Stockholm University
Prof. Dr. Philipp Gonon, University of Zurich
Submission of abstracts
Deadline: 31 January 2023
Presentations that concern any aspects of VET are welcome, and we hope the conference theme The role of Bildung in VET and HE will serve as an inspiration!
There will be 4 presentation formats:
- Paper
- Poster
- Workshop
- Symposium
Paper session
90 minutes with three papers presented: 20 minutes presentation + 10 minutes discussion per paper, steered by a chair.
Posters
Poster presentations at scheduled times during the conference. Format: Physical/ traditional poster and digital poster/films.
Workshop
Presentation, which is a more interactive session of 90 minutes, involving the participants
Symposium
90 minutes presentation coordinated by a group, presenting their work (research, developmental project, work-in-progress, finished projects). The abstract should indicate what type of work that is presented.
Abstracts
Papers and presentations can be Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and English. Each session will include presentations either in English or in Nordic languages, i.e., English, and Nordic languages are not mixed in the same session.
Before you submit your abstract, be prepared to include information about:
- Title
- Presenter/s and affiliation/s
- Presentation format (see above)
- Type of work (Research; Development project; Work in progress)
- Language for presentation
You should also prepare a pdf-file with your abstract. The abstract text (4–8) should not exceed 500 words in total, and have to include the following:
- Author and affiliation
- Presentation format
- Language for presentation
- Abstract title
- Framing (general description, aim, theoretical framework) (maximum 200 words)
- Methods / Methodology (maximum 100 words)
- Results / Expected outcomes (maximum 100 words)
- References
Submit your abstract here!
Programme
Detailed programme for the conference will be published in Spring 2023, including information about Ph.D meeting and social programme.
Travelling
There are direct flight connections to Bergen from Oslo, Trondheim, Copenhagen and Stockholm (also via Oslo), from Reykjavik via Oslo, and from Helsinki via Oslo/Stockholm/Copenhagen.
You can also go by train from Oslo across the mountains and fjord landscape, as a pleasant journey (takes approximately 6,5–7 hours).
From Bergen airport, Flesland, there are direct buses (20–30 minutes) or “Bybanen”/tram (50 minutes) to Bergen city.
Conference Venue
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Bergen.
Address: Inndalsveien 28, 5063 Bergen
You can take the direct tram from Bergen city (10 minutes) and from the airport (40 minutes).
There is restricted parking at campus, and the tram is the easiest transport.
Accommodation
All participants book their own accommodation. There are many hotels in Bergen city, and we recommend staying in the city.
We also strongly recommend booking in advance since June is a busy time of the year due to tourism and festivals in Bergen.
Hotel Terminus, https://www.grandterminus.no, and Hotel Zander K, https://www.zanderk.no, have reserved several rooms for participants until 18 April 2023. Single room including breakfast NOK 1690,- pr night.
Booking: booking@grandterminus.no Code 4049850, booking@zanderk.no Code 127988
Registration and Conference fee
Registration opens 1 December 2022.
Conference fee
Early Bird NOK 3700,-, deadline 15 March 2023.
After 15 March NOK 4100,-, deadline 1 May 2023.
Questions
For any questions, please send e-mail to nordyrk2023@hvl.no
About Bergen
Bergen is one of the oldest towns in Norway and has a rich history. If you want to explore Bergen, you will find some information to start with at Visit Bergen: https://en.visitbergen.com/
Bergen International Festival, a hub for the Northern European arts scene, takes place from 24 May to 07 June. https://www.fib.no/en/about-festspillene/