Bridge the Gap! Conference: How to attract and retain technical talent in school and work contexts.

Dear colleague,

The project team of Bridge the Gap! cordially invites you to take part in a two-day event for academics and practitioners.

In the past 4 years, researchers from the Bridge the Gap! team (University of Twente, Utrecht University, Saxion University of Applied Sciences) have carried out research projects in collaboration with educational institutions and companies in high-tech to better understand how to attract and retain technical talent in school and work contexts.

The aim of the conference is to exchange knowledge and to discuss evidence-based solutions to arrive at an inclusive work and learning climate and reduce drop out in the technical sector.

Day 1: Academic meeting

Thursday 30th June 2022

Time: 10.00-17.00

Main language: English

This day is designed for academics in social and behavioral sciences. We strongly encourage PhD students, Early Career Researchers and Early Career Academics to attend.  For this academic group meeting you have the opportunity to submit proposals for 15 minute research talks or poster presentations throughout the day.

The day includes:

• Presentation on key insights and deliverables of 4 years Bridge the Gap! research given by Ruth van Veelen, Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, and Maaike Endedijk, Professor at University of Twente.
• Keynote Talk given by Francesca Manzi, Assistant Professor at London School of Economics (https://www.francesca-manzi.com/)
• Research talks and poster presentations throughout the day, deadline to submit an abstract: May 9^th.

Day 2: Stakeholders meeting

Friday 1st July 2022

Time: 10.00-16.00

Main language: Dutch (with the opportunity to participate in English)

This day is designed for practitioners (HR professionals, program directors, study advisors), policy makers and academics. It is an co-creation event to exchange knowledge and discuss evidence-based solutions on attracting and retaining technical talent in school and work contexts.

The day includes:

• Workshops on evidence-based solutions and approaches to tackle issues in technical work and school contexts based on insights and deliverables of 4 years Bridge the Gap! research
• Key note talk by Dr. Melissa Vink, Utrecht University (https://www.uu.nl/medewerkers/MVink1) on evidence-based practices to stimulate diverse and inclusive school and work contexts.
• Round table discussions (with academics, practitioners and industry panelists) on issues raised by organisations and education

Location

U Parkhotel (University of Twente)

De Veldmaat 8, 7522 NM, Enschede, The Netherlands

Costs

Costs will include a contribution to join the first day of the conference (estimation: 30 euro) and optional costs of dinner (35 euro) and hotel stay (estimation: 115 euro). As one of the aims of Bridge the Gap is to stimulate collaborations between academics and practitioners the second day will be free of charge and is sponsored by our partners.

*************************************************************

For more information and to submit your abstract please visit the events’ webpage !

If you have any questions please contact: bridgethegap@utwente.nl

*************************************************************

Kind Regards,

The Bridge the Gap! Team

Maaike Endedijk, Marlon Nieuwenhuis, Lianne Aarntzen, Ruth van Veelen, & Natascha van Hattum-Janssen

(Support: Monique Docter, Casper de Jong, Mirte Disberg -van Geloven)