The Third annual conference of the Alliance of Working-Class Academics (AWCA), in conjunction with The Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU), will take place at Glasgow Caledonian University with registration from 9:30 am on Friday, June 14th.

Please note this booking link is for IN PERSON delegates only.

This hybrid conference acknowledges the context of a challenging environment for educational systems within and beyond Scotland. It recognises that policymakers, researchers and practitioners are seeking solutions to manage and overcome complex challenges. Within our institutions, we are grappling with poverty, hunger, high dropout levels, low attendance rates, exclusion, isolation, alienation, and mental ill-health, all which are exacerbated, if not caused by, poverty and inequality. Our contention is that we need to appraise and address these challenges with a sensitivity to class. We recognise the backdrop of increasingly punitive socio-economic measures against marginalised and underrepresented working-class individuals. Therefore, with a focus on “Poverty, Class and Education” the conference will investigate and develop effective responses to poverty and inequality in Scotland and beyond. The day features a wide range of the latest research, insights and work on poverty and inequalities, and the pathways of working-class individuals into, through and beyond education systems.

The conference brings together (working-class) academics, research students, widening access practitioners and researchers from across a range of educational and public sector settings. It is open to everyone, especially those who are interested in themes of (post-school, school, and pre-school) education, sociology, psychology, criminology, and public health. We welcome anyone with lived experience of conference themes and those who wish to become more informed on issues related to social class, education and poverty.

Please visit the AWCA website for further details on the breakout session details before making your selction on which session to attend. General 6 — Alliance of Working Class Academics

Note: This is a hybrid conference (delivered in person at Glasgow Caledonian University and accessed remotely via Teams)

Robust debate is welcomed, but participants are expected to engage in a respectful manner.

If you have any specific questions about the conference, please contact: Dr Craig Johnston (c.johnston@uwe.ac.uk); Professor John McKendrick (j.mckendrick@gcu.ac.uk) and/or Gavin Brewis (Gavin.Brewis@gcu.ac.uk)

Annual conference of Alliance of Working-Class Academics 2024 (in person)