Mike and I are excited to announce that the hanfod.NL team will be participating in the 14th International Conference on Networked Learning (NLC2024), set to take place in Malta from 15-17 May 2024. This announcement comes with a blend of anticipation and pride, as we reflect on our productive engagement at NLC2022 in Sundsvall, Sweden, where our double symposium and phenomenology of practice workshop proposals were warmly received.

As we prepare for NLC2024, our excitement is twofold. Not only will phenomenology feature prominently among the conference themes, but we are also on the cusp of introducing the forthcoming Springer book, Phenomenology in Action for Researching Networked Learning. This work, which includes contributions and reflections from contributors to NLC2022, seeks to bridge the gap in networked learning research by focusing on phenomenological research methods, insights, and challenges.

The book is structured around critical inquiries into phenomenological research in networked learning, offering readers a comprehensive guide to conducting meaningful investigations within this domain. Through a collection of chapters, we explore the application of phenomenology to networked learning, revealing new dimensions of human experience and interaction facilitated by digital technologies.

Engage with Us at NLC2024

Join us in Malta for what promises to be an enriching experience. Our participation will include a Round Table designed to spotlight and deliberate on the upcoming new edition to the Springer Book Series on Research in Networked Learning. The session’s overarching goal, orchestrated by our book’s editorial team—Mike, Cathy, Nina, and myself, is to further delve into the integration of phenomenology within the domain of networked learning. We will commence with a concise introduction to the book, followed by insightful critiques and reflections from our four distinguished invited discussants. Their evaluations will set the stage for a broader conversation with attendees about the utility, opportunities, and hurdles associated with employing phenomenological approaches in the study of networked learning. In addition to the editorial team, numerous authors who contributed to the book will also be present, ready to engage in dialogue and provide their unique insights into the discussions. We eagerly encourage active participation from all conference attendees at the round table, aiming for a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives

As we continue our journey, we remain committed to advancing the field of networked learning through critical inquiry, collaborative exploration, and a shared sense of wonder in the face of the world’s educational challenges and opportunities.

We look forward to seeing you in Malta and to furthering our collective explorations into the rich terrain of networked learning and phenomenology.

Mike and Felicity