This symposium is occasioned by three remarkable PhD dissertations in the field of learning and development. All three concern strategies of fostering agency of those less heard: of school children and teachers in a local school in Groningen, of youth and their educators in vocational education in Uganda, and of lifelong learning practitioners in NGOs in Uganda. All three apply Action Research methods aimed at freeing, ‘unlocking’, the agency of participants and their communities. This symposium discusses promises of these studies for improved linking of the worlds of Education and Work and explores challenges and promises of Action Research in various fields.

Symposium Programme 2 and 3 November 2021, University of Groningen - Focus on Agency: Track & Trace, Unlock & Unblock - Examples of alternative approaches to development research (see below and attachment for a detailed programme).

The symposium is free to attend, but we ask that you register no later than 27 October by the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1khTt_nEkHOHxOxTtNHgNK0EfH06i5aAtRuYfguHHzK4/edit

The PhD defenses are open to the public and can also be streamed online: https://www.rug.nl/digitalphd

Monday, November 1, 14.30 pm , Aula, University of Groningen, Broerstraat 5                                
Nathalie Beekman: Room for Polyphony. Action research into the potential significance of an art & philosophy lab for free action in education

Thursday, November 4, 12.45 pm, Aula, University of Groningen, Broerstraat 5                               
Robert Jjuuko: Youth transition, agricultural education and employment in Uganda: freeing individual agency

Thursday, November 4, 16.15 pm, Aula, University of Groningen. Broerstraat 5                               
Marit Blaak: The normative practitioner: adding value to organisational learning in education NGOs in Uganda