The research area of higher education and science studies is at a crossroads. The all-encompassing expansion of the web, coupled with new methodological toolkits, opens completely new research avenues that go far beyond traditional (web) survey techniques. Researchers continuously strive for new, innovative research methods to, for example, recruit participants (e.g., through social media and apps), use mixed-method approaches (e.g., through narrative voice answers in smartphone surveys), investigate digital behavior (e.g., through web tracking), and explore activities on social platforms (e.g., through digital data donation). This methodological expansion is accompanied by a massive increase in new, powerful analysis techniques that fall under the umbrella of social data science, including text mining and machine learning. These analysis techniques are key to coping with the inherent heterogeneity and flood of data.

Here you find the call for participation, which is outlined in more detail below. The call is open until 17^th of May 2024.

 

This year's HERSS Summer School aims to bring forward recent advances in innovative methodology in the field of higher education and science studies. It includes keynotes and hands-on workshops teaching and discussing cutting-edge methods and data analysis techniques, including research on advances related to the whole data life cycle. Along this cycle, we structure the summer school into three overarching tracks: (1) data collection, (2) data sharing and enrichment and (3) data analysis. In the data collection track, modern app-based or multi-modal survey techniques are discussed. For the data sharing and enrichment track, participants will get insights into novel data sources and how to collect them. The data analysis track focuses on using modern machine-learning and natural language processing (NLP) frameworks in R or Python.

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HERSS Summer School invites contributions from undergraduates, doctoral students, and postdocs in the field of higher education research and science studies from all over the world. It resembles a fruitful exchange format for both qualitative and quantitative researchers, as well as those that want to get a deeper insights into most recent developments. Although most of the workshops (three per track) are planned to also onboard beginners, (basic) knowledge on methodology and data analysis is a prerequisite. In order to fuel fruitful discussions and collaboration opportunities, we require participants to submit a motivation letter for participation in the HERSS Summer School. Furthermore, slots for the presentation of research projects are scheduled in which participants can present their advances. During these sessions, our peers will give valuable feedback. Finally, HERSS Summer School includes several keynotes from international experts speaking about cutting-edge research topics, such as digital data donation.

The summer school is structured into 9 workshops, 4 keynotes, 2 poster sessions, and a plenary debate.
To date, the following speakers followed our invitation:

Data Collection Track:

• Nonresponse and Data Integration: Camilla Salvatore – Universiteit Utrecht (https://www.uu.nl/staff/CSalvatore)
• Multi-modal Data Collection: Jan Karem Höhne – Leibniz Universität Hannover (https://jkhoehne.eu)
• App-based Surveying: TBA

Data Sharing and Enrichment Track:

• Social Media Sampling: Zaza Sophie Louise Zindel - Universität Bielefeld (https://ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/pers_publ/publ/PersonDetail.jsp?personId=84399219)
• Digital Data Donation: Bella Struminskaya - Universiteit Utrecht (https://www.uu.nl/staff/BStruminskaya)
• Web Scraping: David Broneske, Saijal Shahania - DZHW Hannover (https://www.dzhw.eu/gmbh/mitarbeiter?m_id=889)

Data Analysis Track:

• Natural Language Processing in R: Thomas Hills - University of Warwick (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/people/thills/)
• Machine Learning for the Social Sciences: Marco Steenbergen - University of Zurich (https://www.ipz.uzh.ch/en/people/employees/msteen.html)
• Data Science for the Social Sciences: TBA

A detailed program and course abstracts will be delivered soon.

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To participate, send a motivation letter (max. 500 words) including the title of your research topic until 17th of May 2024 to . Acceptance will be sent out by 3^rd of June 2024. The participation fee for the whole week of the summer school, including course materials and catering is 300 Euro per person, on a self-funding basis.

We offer a small number of stipends to participants with limited funding opportunities. To apply for a stipend, please submit a letter (max. 1 page) explaining your financial situation. The organizers are strongly committed to creating equal opportunities. In case of equal qualification, preference will be given to underrepresented groups.

We are looking forward to your applications!

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Location: Conti Hochhaus
Königsworther Platz 1
30167 Hannover

 

Organizers: Prof. Dr. Jan Karem Höhne and Dr. David Broneske
Leibniz University Hannover and German Center for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW)

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We can recommend the following hotels nearby the location. Hotels are to be booked on a self-funding basis.

Design Hotel Wiegand
Email: hannover@hotel-wiegand.de
Lange Laube 20
30159 Hannover
https://wiegand-hotel.de/#/booking/search

City Hotel Hannover
Tel.: +49 (0)511 36070
Limburgstraße 3
30159 Hannover
http://www.cityhotelhannover.de/

Hotel City Panorama
Tel.: +49 (0)511 897 060 15
Münzstr. 5
30159 Hannover
https://www.hannover-city-panorama.de/

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