IRAACE
First IRAACE Event of 2008 a Great Success!
GET THE REPORT!click here
The Irish Research Association for Adult and Community Education (IRAACE), of which
AONTAS is a key member, held its first event of 2008 in the Royal Dublin Hotel, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 on April 4th. The half day morning event, which was well attended, offered delegates the opportunity to network with other researchers, to discuss current projects and to showcase their latest research. The event was opened by Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS, who welcomed delegates and gave a brief background and overview of the work of IRAACE since its inception in 2005. This introduction was followed by an edifying presentation on 'How to Do Research and Use Research Findings', by guest speaker Lyn Tett, Professor of Lifelong Learning and Community Education in the Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Professor Tett's presentation was very well received by all. To view the presentation in full click here.
Speed Networking Workshops
Following on from this, delegates participated in one of five themed workshops. These workshops included 'Policy Issues Emerging 
from Research', 'Widening Participation and Access', 'Literacy', 'Community based Research' and 'Supporting Researchers in Third Level'. Delegates were given the opportunity to network with other participants in the workshop, using the 'speed-dating' format, which allows each participant to spend 5 minutes networking with another participant in the group, before moving down the line to the next participant. This process is repeated until every member of the group has had an opportunity to speak to one another. Feedback from delegates on the speed-networking format has been very positive. "I found it very informative and useful." "The speed-dating was a good way of sharing ideas."
Future Plans
The final phase of the workshops involved a group discussion to identify the main themes emerging. The Development Committee of IRAACE will use the themes identified in each of the workshops for the future work and direction of IRAACE. The themes are described in detail in the event report available above.
Handover of Secretariat of IRAACE
AONTAS shares the secretariat of IRAACE with NALA, the National Adult Literacy Agency. Having completed a 12 month period providing support to the Development Committee of IRAACE, AONTAS has handed responsibility over to NALA for the next 12 months. For further information on the work of IRAACE and up coming events please contact:
Tina Byrne, Research Officer, NALA
Tel: 01 855 4332 or visit www.nala.ie/research
