On behalf of those responsible for the organisation of the Conference, may I welcome all delegates to beautiful Newcastle. We are delighted to have given you a reason to stay in our wonderful city. Enjoy the science, but don't forget our beaches, restaurants and vineyards.
Beautiful as our foreshore and beaches are, we do have a serious reason for our gathering. All of us are aware of the changing political and economic climate governing much of what we do in research higher degree study. It is timely that we should gather to at least consider some of the major issues and dilemmas confronting us. We particularly felt that it was timely to (re)consider the really core question: what is this beast we are dealing with? How do we "define the doctorate" in the face of increasing challenges to the traditional order? The acknowledgment of alternative forms of presentation, the placing of doctoral research into professional contexts, the pressure for enhanced research training and associated courses all contribute to, and perhaps intensify, existing debates about selection, completion and benchmarks. In this context, it is also timely to consider the issues confronting emergent fields of doctoral study - those disciplines we collectively refer to as the "Creative and Performing Arts".
Our conference has attracted around 35 papers illustrative of the variety of pressing questions confronting those involved in the research higher degree sector. Your challenge is to choose carefully - for those sessions you may have to miss are most likely as stimulating as those you may choose!
We have tried in our programming to maximise not only your exposure to quality research and reflection, but to also maximise your opportunities for meaningful discussion and interaction. In the main, the papers will be embedded in 45 minute sessions, of which we hope at least 20 minutes will be spent in productive interchange and debate. We have also allowed for extended breaks - half hour morning and afternoon teas as well as 90 minutes for lunch. This, we hope, will encourage interactions on a less formal scale that may well be the beginnings of strong and profound future research partnerships.
May I also take this opportunity to thank all of those who have assisted in the organisation of this event. In particular, the AARE executive for supporting the first ever Mini-Conference, Peter and Ruth Jeffery (and Wendy Shilton) for their (usual) high levels of efficiency and enthusiasm, Dr Jill Scevak, Dr Melissa Monfries, Alison Russell and Professors Terry Lovat and Phil Foreman from the Faculty of Education & Arts as well as the Research Branch at the University of Newcastle have all contributed immeasurably to the organisation and conduct of the conference. Please accept this as my personal thanks.
I again welcome you to Newcastle and the conference, and hope that your time here is stimulating, informative and enjoyable.
Robert Cantwell
Convenor