Graduate Studies symposium allows for "rich exchange of ideas"

The theme for this year's Graduate Studies in Education Symposium is "Towards a Global Community: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on Education," with guest speaker Dr Eva Krugly-Smolska, Associate Professor for the faculty of Education at Queen's, who will kick-off the event. The 8^th annual event will take place on Wednesday, April 2 from 1 to 6 pm at Duncan McArthur Hall, (located on Union Street at the corner of Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard) and will be followed by a Wine and Cheese reception.

The interdisciplinary symposium is run completely by Queen's graduate students, who begin planning in October. Students Jasmattie Yamraj and Hana Saab are the co-chairs for this year's event. The symposium provides students with a low-cost and friendly opportunity to present and discuss their research or work-in-progress with fellow students, faculty, and practitioners from the field. The event includes roundtables, paper and poster presentations and is also open to alumni and members of the community.

Rosa Bruno-Jofré, Dean, Education, who started the program eight years ago, now provides guidance to graduate students for the meeting. Dr. Bruno-Jofré is passionate about the event and sees it as an important part of the graduate community. "It allows for a very interesting interaction with faculty members who are respondent quite often to the papers or as chair of the sessions. In our faculty, the principle of mentorship of graduate students is extremely important."

The symposium brings in participants from many faculties, as well as different universities across Canada, due to the interdisciplinary nature of the faculty of education, says Dr. Bruno-Jofré. "The nature of our faculty is that it allows for a very rich exchange of ideas and different theoretical perspectives. We always intersect theory and practice."

The event is important for graduate students socially and academically, says Nancy Hutchinson, Professor of Education and Graduate Co-ordinator, who provides guidance to the students for the event. "Students learn about planning an academic event, learn how to present at a conference prior to the major national conference that many of them attend-the CSSE (Canadian Society for the Study of Education). We also invite retired faculty, school board trustees, administrators from the local schools and others we think share our passion for education."

 "For us as graduate students, this event is a wonderful opportunity to discuss our research or work-in-progress with fellow students, faculty and other practitioners," say Christine Doe and Tessa Mueller, two graduate students who are handling the advertising and promotion of the event. "It is especially important for students who don't have much experience presenting at conferences. The event offers the chance to gain experience with academic presentations in an encouraging and friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, working on one of the organizing committees fosters community development amongst graduate students. We appreciate the support and freedom that Dean Bruno-Jofre gives to her graduate students to plan, organize and deliver this event."  

The event will conclude with a wine and cheese reception to allow attendees to discuss the events of the day and meet the attendees and participants in a relaxed and social environment. Registration is free for the event and refreshments will be provided. Visit http://educ.queensu.ca/~gses/ or if you have any questions, email gses.register@gmail.com.