About CARN

CARN was founded in 1976 in order to continue the development work of the Ford Teaching Project in UK primary and secondary schools. Since that time it has grown to become an international network drawing its members from educational, health, social care, commercial, and public services settings.

CARN aims to encourage and support action research projects (personal, local, national and international), accessible accounts of action research projects, and contributions to the theory and methodology of action research.

Conference 2022 has been designed to share and celebrate the potential for Action Research to change lives, and is being organised by the National College of Ireland, Dublin, supported by the Early Learning initiative (ELI) and the Centre for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Thinking about attending CARN 2022, but not sure if it’s right for you?

Let previous participants share their stories with you:

I think the key thing for a CARN conference is the atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration that offers researchers a platform to share in an inclusive and supportive space. It provides opportunities to explore possibilities within a respectful and relaxed research environment.

Bernadette Wrynn, Maynooth University

I attended my first CARN conference in Derry twenty years ago, as a nervous early career researcher. I remember being dazzled by seeing my heroes in the flesh– the authors whose work I had read and whose names were familiar to me. I also remember listening to presenters whose work I didn’t know. That conference, as is the case with every CARN conference since, challenged my thinking and had an educational influence on me. As I look back, I realise now that there was no need to be nervous – CARN is always a warm, welcoming and supportive event – especially for first-timers like I was then. The themes, formats and heroes of CARN Conferences may have changed over the decades, but the sense of warmth and open-heartedness has endured and grown over time.  
Máirín Glenn
Co-Convenor of NEARI @infoneari
Vice President of ESAI @Máirín

I’ve attended three CARN conferences (2019 in Manchester, 2020 in Croatia, and 2021 online) and all have been fantastic experiences. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming during the conference itself. There are so many opportunities to chat with others over a cuppa (and the obligatory biscuits of course!) which is where the best networking happens! You can guarantee that if you attend by yourself, you will know so many people and have made so many new friends by the end!
No one is made to feel like an imposter at CARN. Yes, there are always the ’big names’ at CARN which is amazing. But they, and everyone who is there are all part of the fantastic supportive network. Listening to others share their work, speaking passionately about their areas of interest, inspires you further. When you present, your work is just as valuable and important. People smile as you present, ask interesting and thoughtful questions about your work, helping you to think deeper about your own research. Your contributions, no matter how small you think they are, are valued and respected.
You can probably tell how much I really enjoy CARN conferences and being part of them. I missed seeing people in person due to the pandemic, catching up with friends made over the past couple of years, but am really looking forward to Dublin 2022. Hope to see you there!
Louise Hawxwell, Edge Hill University

What is special in the CARN conference is the supportive and friendly atmosphere. The opportunities to engage in informal discussions are key to enhancing collaboration and reflection about AR. You feel that you have a voice.
Maria Flores, University of Minho, Portugal