Student Research Conference Explores “The Future of Education”
This year’s theme “The Future of Education: Practice, Research & Theory” explored transformative and emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in education and envision the future of teaching, learning, researching, and theorizing in education. Some of the topics presented range from Artificial Intelligence, Well-Being, Indigeneity and Belonging to Income Inequality, Human Rights, Disability, and Inclusion, among others.
The conference kicked off with the keynote address by Dr. Rheanna Robinson drawing on her lived experience as an Indigenous disabled scholar to discuss being an “unexpected academic” and how her scholarly research within Indigenous Disability Studies represents a compelling example of Indigenous knowledges offering the world meaningful representations of inclusion in diverse and varying ways.
The Education Graduate Student Research Conference was a three-day event which included presentations, round table discussions and posters around practice, research and theory themes. Panel discussions delved into topics such as culturally responsive teaching, equitable access to education and how to build inclusive communities.
Harnessing Technology for Learning
Technology continues to play an important role in education, sessions at the conference delved into AI technologies and their problems related to academic integrity and their implementation in K-12 education in Manitoba. One of the roundtable discussion with University of Manitoba PhD student Kevin Oliver explored the implementation of AI empowered EdTech within Manitoba K-12 education and how a (post) qualitative methodology to critically explore artificial intelligence may be appropriate.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
The conference provided a space to discuss strategies to support wellbeing and mental health of children and youth. Researchers explored challenges on academic performance and stress. One particular presentation by Roza Gray, Education PhD student, University of Manitoba “shared findings of a systematic and rigorous search of Department of Education websites across Canada to determine how student WB and MH and is conceptualized and prioritized. Common approaches, emerging trends and perceived gaps will be explored.”
