My EERA story – from novice doctoral researcher to ERG Link Convenor

by | Aug 26, 2024 | 30 Years of EERA

EERA is celebrating 30 years in 2024, and as part of our anniversary celebrations, we have invited people who have been at the heart of the association to share their memories and reflections. In a series of blog posts, which will run throughout 2024, we will share those precious memories, from the people who helped foster the global EERA community.

In this blog post, ERG Link Convenor Dr Saneeya Qureshi looks back on her journey from a novice doctoral researcher to becoming an integral part of the EERA family.

My journey with the European Educational Research Association (EERA) has been nothing short of life-changing, and EERA’s 30th Anniversary is an opportune moment to reflect on the profound impact that the Association has had on both a personal and professional level for me.

The novice years

I vividly remember my first encounter with EERA as a PhD student during the Emerging Researchers’ Conference (ERC) 2012 in Cadiz – full of curiosity and ambition but also with a hint of apprehension at being part of this huge global community of emerging researchers. I was just starting my academic journey, eager to dive into the world of educational research. My first ever ERC turned out to be a most memorable and enjoyable experience indeed. It was there that I found myself surrounded by experts and scholars from diverse backgrounds, each sharing their unique insights into the field – and where I was able to benefit from incredibly supportive and thoughtful feedback on my nascent doctoral research project.

Personal and professional growth

As my PhD years went by, EERA became the catalyst for my personal and professional growth. The support and guidance that I received from both the Emerging Researchers’ Group (ERG) and EERA Network 4 – as my PhD was in Inclusive Education – was invaluable in enabling me to understand and navigate the complexities of educational research as a doctoral and then postdoctoral researcher.

Building connections

One of the most profound aspects of my journey has been and continues to be the opportunity to build connections that transcend the geographic borders across EERA’s vibrant community. I was fortunate to find within this community, mentors who believed in my potential and who shared their experiences and helped to expand my horizons. EERA’s inclusive environment has always fostered collaboration, and it was not long before, in 2015, I applied for and was successfully appointed to the role of Link Convenor for the ERG.

A springboard for success

As the years went by, my transformation from a novice to an expert took place, as EERA not only provided a platform to present my research, receive constructive feedback, and learn from the best in the field, but also enabled me – via my Link Convenor role – to give back to my peers via the dynamic ERG Annual programme of activities that I led. With the support of key EERA colleagues across EERA Executive, EERA Office, EERA Council, EERA Networks, and the ERG’s co-convenors, senior mentor, and senior fellows, I was able to solidify the ERG’s reputation over the course of two tenures as the ERG Link Convenor; and the relationships I cultivated across the community opened doors to new opportunities and collaborations for the ERG. EERA’s genuine commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers, along with its supportive community, has, therefore, been the springboard for success for hundreds of emerging researchers across the world, enabling them to thrive in their research endeavours.

Memorable moments

Some of the most memorable moments during my time with EERA have been the annual Council and Network Convenor meetings and the Annual ERC and ECER Conferences over the years – there is truly something special about meeting one’s close friends and colleagues in different cities across Europe, in environments that are so conducive to the vibrant exchange of ideas, the diversity of perspectives, and the palpable enthusiasm for educational research. It’s incredible to witness how EERA has consistently managed to bring together scholars from diverse backgrounds and educational disciplines, and foster a sense of community regardless of where the tides of time or the winds of geographical (and pandemic!) change may have taken us. So many of these memorable moments are captured in the ERG’s Annual Reports and summary of annual activities.

Not challenges, but opportunities for growth

Like any long-lasting journey, there have been challenges – or more fittingly, opportunities for growth– along the way, especially during my time as Link Convenor of the ERG. Coordinating events from a distance, via wholly online communication, facilitating international collaborations, and ensuring that a global community of thousands of researchers feel included and warmly welcomed to venues that I myself would only see in person a day before the conference participants did, left me with some lasting lessons. Indeed, my proudest achievement during my time as ERG Link Convenor has been to set up three different mentoring programmes for emerging researchers to help them feel more integrated into EERA and the ERG before, during, and after the ERC and ECER each year. Hundreds of emerging researchers have benefitted from these mentoring programmes, and I am delighted that a number of them remain in contact with me, and I am kept abreast of their professional accomplishments.

Not just an association

EERA is not just an Association; it’s a community that transcends the boundaries of academia. Personally, it has been a source of inspiration, driving me to contribute more to developing research talent across the global community of early career researchers. Professionally, it has enhanced my ability to design and deliver talent development programs that cater to the evolving needs of a diverse tapestry of multidisciplinary and globally-facing researchers. Holistically, EERA has enabled me to appreciate the true power of collaboration, diversity, and the generosity of knowledge exchange across the educational research community.

A future perspective

EERA’s 30th Anniversary is not just a celebration of the Association’s history; it’s a testament to the power of transformation. Looking ahead, I see EERA continuing to be a catalyst for positive change in educational research, and life-changing experiences for emerging researchers. In an ever-evolving landscape, EERA’s commitment to fostering global connections and advancing educational research for the benefit of education and society remains a vital and critical mission. I am delighted to have had the honour of contributing between 2015-2023, and to have been able to give back to the community that has given me so much – here’s to the next 30 years of inspiration, collaboration, and achievement!

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Dr Saneeya Qureshi

Dr Saneeya Qureshi

Head of Researcher Development and Culture at the University of Liverpool, UK

Dr Saneeya Qureshi was the Link Convenor of the Emerging Researchers Group for the European Educational Research Association (EERA) between 2015 - 2023. She is the Head of Researcher Development and Culture at the University of Liverpool, UK.

She is responsible for the University’s provision for researchers at all stages of their careers. She manages activities related to the University's European Commission's HR Excellence in Research Award, liaising with stakeholders regarding Liverpool's commitment to the development of its Early Career Researchers. She holds a PhD in Inclusive Education, and has over 15 years of experience in teaching and educational management in the UK and internationally.

Since 2015, Dr Qureshi has been a co-opted member of the EERA Council where she represents emerging researchers' interests. She leads an annual programme of EERA's developmental and capacity building activities for emerging researchers, including the annual Emerging Researchers Conference. She is also an Editorial Board member and a reviewer for several international educational journals. She can be found on Twitter @SaneeyaQ

References and Further Reading

  1. Emerging Researchers’ Group (ERG): https://eera-ecer.de/networks/emerging-researchers-group-1
  2. ERG Annual Reports: https://eera-ecer.de/networks/emerging-researchers-group/annual-reports
  3. ERG Summary of Annual Activities: https://eera-ecer.de/networks/emerging-researchers-group/erg-activities
  4. ERG Mentoring Programmes: https://eera-ecer.de/about-eera/promoting-emerging-researchers/mentoring-emerging-researchers