8th SEFI Doctoral Symposium in Engineering Education Research

The 8th SEFI Doctoral Symposium in Engineering Education Research, held on 1 September 2024, at EPFL, brought together 31 Ph.D. students from 13 countries across four continents. This full-day event, preceding the SEFI Annual Conference, offered a dynamic and enriching experience for early-career researchers, who had the opportunity to share their research, explore study plans, and expand their professional networks. With 22 senior scholars from diverse regions, including Africa, Australia, North America, and Europe, the symposium fostered an environment of learning, support, and collaboration.

Participants highlighted the strong sense of community and belonging, praising the feedback and personal guidance they received. The interactive nature of the event included short senior introductions, group discussions on individual Ph.D. projects, speed-dating-style networking, and final nuggets of advice to equip each attendee with valuable insights and connections. The symposium’s purposeful structure enabled students and mentors alike to engage deeply, sparking discussions that went beyond research topics to include personal and professional growth.

The SEFI Doctoral Symposium continues to play a pivotal role in the evolving field of engineering education research (EER). Many Ph.D. researchers in this area often work in isolation within their institutions, making the supportive network developed through SEFI critical. By connecting emerging researchers with established scholars, the symposium not only advances the field but also nurtures a sense of shared purpose and community. This year’s event demonstrated the increasing global reach and impact of the SEFI network, setting the stage for continued growth and innovation in EER.

Organising this event on behalf of SEFI is a pleasure and an honour for our team (Jonte Bernhard, Kristina Edström, Tinne de Laet, and Shannon Chance), and we look forward to flourishing as a research community alongside the juniors and seniors who participated in the 2024 symposium. Look for the forthcoming conference paper on the event, which will be chock-full advice from the year’s participants.