Now that summer term is under way, here are some upcoming conferences that may be of interest.

Comedy and the Classroom: You must be joking?
Thursday 9 May
Brunel University London

Now that 1st April is well behind us, it’s safe to introduce this seminar which focuses on the role of comedy in teaching and learning. Featuring a mix of academics and comedians, it will address the following questions:

• What are the roles of comedy in shaping teaching strategies and practice?
• Does comedy make teaching and the student experience more inclusive or exclusive?
• Does comedy facilitate student engagement or disengagement, and impact the student experience?
• How successful can educators be with comedy and what are the limits of comedy in teaching and the student experience?
• What skills do comedians bring into the classroom?

Teaching in a Digital Age
Wednesday 22 May 2019
7-8 pm, BST (2 pm U.S. Eastern Time)

What do you do with students who are permanently glued to their iPhone? This Inside HigherEd webinar (followed by a discussion) addresses the issue of what to do when students are on their phones, whether it is a classroom setting or online. Taking the approach of digital technology as a potential friend rather than an enemy, this session will discuss a range of new tools with which to present information, communicate with students and promote discussions, if they are trained and encouraged to use them effectively.

International Forum for Peer Learning
Thursday 6 June 2019, with pre-Forum evening event – 5 June 2019
The British Airways i360

This is the second forum of the Academic Peer Learning network hosted by the University of Brighton and focuses on the aspects of peer learning in terms of theory and practice. The focus of the forum has particular resonance to the LSE’s 2030 strategy and includes the following themes:

• Peer learning in academic contexts
• Initiatives that support transition, orientation, first-year experience
• Opportunities that support peer leader development
• Enabling students to form communities of practice

For those who don’t suffer from vertigo or motion sickness, there is also an opportunity to go on the British Airways i360!

On the Horizon is a monthly compilation featuring upcoming conferences, events and publications of relevance to HE. Please email us with details of upcoming HE conferences and events.

Image credit: Evening Standard

Disclaimer: This post is opinion-based and does not reflect the views of the London School of Economics and Political Science or any of its constituent departments and divisions.