The inaugural meeting of the North West Research in Education Collective (NREC) was attended by 12 delegates from various institutions in the North West. Tejendra Pherali introduced the purpose of NREC and proposed initiatives such as organizing seminars and symposia, formally establishing NREC and linking with the British Educational Research Association. The delegates discussed a wide range of research interests in education and conflict. It was decided that NREC will develop national and international links with organizations working in education and conflict issues. Tejendra Pherali was proposed as Chair to lead the new organization.

1. Summary of the Meeting
The NREC inaugural meeting was attended by 12 delegates who represented
various institutions in the North West.
Tejendra Pherali introduced the purpose of the meeting and proposed key initiatives
that could be carried out under the umbrella of NREC. Purpose of the meeting:
 Some Potential Scholarly Activities with NREC:
 Organising NREC seminars and symposia to hold intellectual debates;
 Setting up NREC more formally and link up with British Educational Research
Association;
 Developing links with I/NGOs to share practitioners' experiences in the related
field;
 Possibly, to collaborate in research and writing; and
 Setting up a website
The delegates shared a wide range of research interests in the field of education and
conflict. Some of the key areas identified were the following:
 International conflicts that involved race, identity and ethnic differences
 Intra-state civil wars impacting on social and political dynamics both nationally
and globally.
 Conflicts prevailing in educational settings ranging from policies and practice
issues (e.g. widening participation, conflicts in universities – state
expectations Vs academic independence)
 Organisational conflicts and human behaviour
 Conflict, human psychology and the construct of fear
 Refugee children in British schools and challenges to catering for their needs
 Youth, conflict and community peace building
 The role of education in conflict and impact of violent conflicts on education
 Conflicts in methodologies and research paradigms
Some basic questions concerning the NREC initiative were raised and subsequently
responded to by the delegates. The main reason for establishing the NREC is to
have a focus of interest particularly considering 'conflict' as a common aspect in the
broad spectrum of educational research. More importantly, the globalised impact of
conflict on economy, politics and education poses a challenge to human civilisation.
Conflict is a natural phenomenon and therefore is generally unavoidable. Conflicts
that deal peacefully through dialogue, discussion and negotiation can offer
opportunities for progress, improvements and innovations. The debate clearly
reflected conflicting ideas on, and perspectives towards the understanding of conflict
itself. The constructive dialogue in the meeting rationalised the need for various
scholarly activities in a more organised manner.
It was decided that NREC would endeavour to develop links both at national and
international levels with the NGOs and other research groups that work in the field of
education and conflict.

2. NREC website will be set up in order to disseminate information and enhance the
network.
It was proposed that NREC represent in BERA as a Significant Interest Group (SIG)
by next year's BERA Conference.
Tejendra Pherali was proposed as Chair and given the responsibility to carry out
communications on behalf of the NREC in order to take the initiative off the ground.
Attendees:
Tejendra Pherali, Liverpool John Moores University
Professor Ian Stronach, Liverpool John Moores University
Derek Kassem, Liverpool John Moores University
Dr. Dean Garratt, Liverpool John Moores University
Gillian Peiser Liverpool John Moores University
David Menendez, Manchester Metropolitan University
Josephine Gabi, Manchester Metropolitan University
Miriam Firth, Manchester Metropolitan University
Clare Guthrie, Manchester Metropolitan University
Clive Richardson Manchester Metropolitan University
Louise Heatley, University of Salford
Vanessa McNichol, Edge Hill University
Prepared by: Tejendra Pherali (T.Pherali@ljmu.ac.uk)