Conference raises the bar on research

Over 120 educators, academics and students took part in the UK's biggest gathering on Jewish education research on Thursday 19 May 2011 at the Avenue House Estate in Finchley. The second UJIA Conference on Research in Jewish Education surpassed the success of last year's inaugural event by launching The International Handbook of Jewish Education, the first book if its kind to be headed by a British academic.

The two-volume publication brings together papers from scholars and practitioners from across the world, making a significant contribution to our knowledge of Jewish education. Its editors - Dr Helena Miller, Dr Lisa D. Grant and Dr Alex Pomson - all spoke at the conference which saw a total of 19 papers presented. Speakers from the UK we joined by colleagues from Israel, the United States and Sweden.

The conference demonstrated the growing importance of Jewish educational research by the fact that seven of its speakers are doing a PhD in this field whereas, until now, only two people in the UK have ever been awarded a PhD on the topic.

Delegates from all of the major Jewish educational organisations in the UK took part, including the London School of Jewish Studies, Leo Baeck College, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Jewish Volunteering Network, London Jewish Cultural Centre, Tzedek and UJIA. They were joined by head teachers and postgraduate students, as well as the Pears Foundation and the Institute of Education, University of London.

Dr Helena Miller, UJIA Research and Evaluation Director and senior editor of The International Handbook of Jewish Education, said:

"The enthusiasm and participation today really showed how academics and practitioners are raising the bar - we are really beginning to engage seriously in research in Jewish education here in the UK."