SIGS

To Advance Research Specialisations On Topics Of Shared Interest. Including Problematics, Theory & Practice Of Education.

What is a SIG?

A Special Interest Group is a group of individuals who are interested in a specialised focus/ topic/problem/area in education.

  • The purpose of SAERA SIGs is to advance research specializations on topics of shared interest. These may include problematics, theory and practice of education.

  • SIGs are free to organize themselves as they see fit. The minimum requirement is that SIGs need 5 members to constitute themselves; they need to represent more than one institution; they need to be SAERA members; and SIG members and/or a representative of the SIG must attend the SAERA conference.

  • SIGs need to mobilize interest across institutions and domains and may be multidisciplinary.

  • An annual report on SIG activities and membership needs to be submitted to the SAERA Executive. Such reports need to be sent to the President at least 14 days before the SAERA conference so that they may be included in the President’s report to the conference.

  • SIGs can only raise funds in the name of SAERA and not in the name of the SIG. All such fundraising initiatives need to be in line with SAERA policies and communicated to the Treasurer and President of SAERA.

  • SIGs are advised to meet at a SAERA conference as a SIG to discuss the constitution of its membership and future activities of the SIG.

  • SIGs may organize their own conferences, with the prior knowledge and support of the SAERA Executive. The financial and organizational aspects of such a conference will be carried by the SIG and reported to the President of SAERA.

  • SIGs may arrange a Special Edition of the SAERA Journal of Education. Such special editions will be approved by the Editor of the Journal of Education and reported to the SAERA Executive.

  • One member of the SAERA executive committee will have SIGS as a portfolio.

  • SIGS should be allocated a specific space within the conference structure to accommodate their meeting and sharing of research.

  • A list of SIGS will be included on SAERA membership application and renewal forms.

A minimum requirement to establish a SIG is five SAERA members, who represent more than one institution. One member of the proposed SIG needs to email the following information to the SIG coordinator, Prof. Petro du Preez on sspather@uwc.ac.za. 

  • Provide a motivation for the new SIG, explaining its purpose and why the SIG is important and offers something different to existing SIGs. 
  • Provide a list of members, their email, institutions and their roles within the SIG.

The names and contact details of the existing SIGs can be found on the website.  If you wish to join any of the existing SIGs, please contact the relevant coordinator.