Research Symposiums
 

Description

An on-going, research-related, professional development initiative conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Department of Work and Human Resource Education (WHRE).

Key foci for sessions: school-related research; work-related research; and research-related methods and issues.

These sessions will be delivered on selected Fridays, from noon to 1:30 pm during the fall 2006 and spring 2007 semesters.

Presenters will come primarily from the national university community, plus others from the Minnesota community at large, (e.g., Industry, Technical/Community Colleges, Public Schools, State Agencies, the Legislature, etc.).

Objectives

• To identify key current, emerging, and potential research-related needs, problems, procedures, findings, and benefits that are potentially of interest and value to WHRE’s stakeholders.
• To provide a forum in which the issues above can be more effectively discussed and disseminated.
• To enhance symposium participants’ awareness, understanding, and responses to identified research issues.
• To enhance the ability of the WHRE Department and it’s stakeholders to contribute to the conduct of appropriate, effective research efforts.
• To enhance the ability of the WHRE Department and it’s stakeholders to implement changes based on the on the findings of research efforts.
• To create a forum in which WHRE faculty, students, and stakeholders can engage leading scholars/practitioners in the fields that are allied to WHRE’s degree programs.

Scheduled Presentations

WHRE Graduate Programs in U.S. Colleges of Education: Status, Prospects, and Promises

Friday, November 30, 2007
Noon—1:30 pm
Room R385, Vocational Technical Education Building

Presenter:

K. Peter Kuchinke
Director of Graduate Programs, Dept. of Human Resource Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

K. Peter Kuchinke is an associate professor in the Department of Human Resource Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he also serves as Director of Graduate Programs. He holds an appointment with the European Union Center, the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, and the Russian and East European Research Center. In addition, he is the editor for Human Resource Development International and past board member of the Academy of Human Resource Development.

Professor Kuchinke’s research interests focus on the history and philosophy of workforce and human resource education, on leadership and management development in public and private organizations, and the meaning of working. A native of Germany with residence in the U.S. for over 25 years, he conducts much of his research in cross-cultural and comparative settings. He has extensive consulting experience in the U.S. and abroad and holds leadership positions in professional associations in the U.S. and Europe. He received his Ph.D. in work, community, and family education from the University of Minnesota.

Presentation Overview:

With academic programs in workforce and human resource development (WHRE) firmly established, the question about their future direction and role in colleges of education is being asked by department faculty and leaders, deans and campus administrators, and the professional academic community at large. This presentation will present an attempt to frame the discussion about the future of graduate education in the field by investigating its disciplinary foundations and boundaries, its evolution and current state, and distinguishing and contrasting characteristics with respect to related programs in other units on a university campus and in international comparison. The presentation will further consider the demands of professional practice as well as career aspirations and likely trajectories of those preparing to enter the field. In conclusion, the presentation will consider curricular choices and opportunities faced by academic departments charged with preparing future practitioners and researchers in the field of workforce and human resource education.

More symposiums to be announced.

Presentations from Fall Semester 2006 and Spring Semester 2007

Click to see previous presentations.