International conference on online, digital and distance learning at University of London breaks records for registrations

Organised by the Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE), the conference – “Empowering and Sustaining Change” – will be the 19th International annual Research in Distance Education and e-Learning (RIDE) conference. All 250 in-person places have already been booked for Day 1, and 400 additional people have already registered to attend the conference online.

This year’s conference focuses on research and scholarly practices in online, distance, blended, hybrid and hyflex higher education. The conference aims to provide a supportive platform for scholarly, research and practice-informed engagement, showcasing people-focussed practices and innovations that are sustainable for people, organisations and the planet.

There will also be a debate on “building engagement and belonging in online international communities,” hosted by the University of London. 

Federation Members taking part include Kings College London, Queen Mary, University College London, City and SOAS. Other universities taking part include Leeds, Portsmouth, Glasgow, Abertay, Open University, Coventry, Winchester, Leicester, Exeter, Nottingham University, Nottingham Trent, Oxford, National Open University Nigeria, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, India, and the University of Namibia, plus technology inputs from Inspera and JISC.   

Abstracts were submitted from 29 countries and 59 abstracts were selected for conference from 17 countries. Colleagues from five Federation Members will be presenting across 20 papers. 10 University of London Worldwide staff will be presenting including two keynotes. 6 CODE Student Fellows will be co-presenting three papers. All sessions will be chaired by Fellows.

Keynote speakers will include:

• Dr Helen Dexter, Associate Professor of International Politics at the University of Leicester
• Professor Mary Stiasny, Professor Emerita University of London, OBE
• Dr Ishan Kolhatkar, Global Client Evangelist at Inspera and education technology leader

Dr Linda Amrane-Cooper, Director of Academic Practice in Online and Distance Education, said:

“The unprecedented level of interest in our conference, which has grown annually, demonstrates how online, blended, hybrid and digital education are firmly established in mainstream practice in higher education.  As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of an increase in digitalisation, our roles in ensuring that the curriculum and pedagogy are evidence based, adapted to the context and to learners' needs is as important as ever. 

“How do we embed sustainability, develop, and maintain good engagement? How do we support learners’ and educators' wellbeing and sense of belonging? How do we ensure that what we do is inclusive and empowering? These are the questions we will address together.”

Find out more about the conference and book your place.