Policy Statement of the European Researchers in Didactics of Biology (ERIDOB)
Approved at the ERIDOB 2022 conference

i) The term ‘members’ refers to all people who presented a paper or poster at the previous ERIDOB Conference and/or those whose papers or posters have been accepted for the forthcoming Conference.
ii) Due to the relatively small and voluntary nature of ERIDOB, these are general guidelines and some flexibility is required in specific circumstances.

This document provides guidelines for ERIDOB activities. Revisions should be discussed and agreed upon during conference business meetings.

1. ERIDOB Aims

1.1 To hold a biennial international conference for sharing current research, raising awareness of diverse research traditions, and discussing biology education-specific issues.
1.2 To produce high-quality conference proceedings through peer-reviewed paper selection.
1.3 To improve research quality in biology education and support new researchers.

2. ERIDOB Organization

2.1 ERIDOB is an informal group without membership fees, open to anyone interested in biology education research.
2.2 An Academic Committee (AC), appointed during the Business Meeting, organizes the conferences and communicates with members.

3. The Academic Committee

  • The AC makes general decisions but should consult members on controversial issues.
  • It consists of eight elected members, including the AC Chair and the Chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
  • At least one member should be an Early Career Researcher (ECR).
  • Each AC member should represent a different country, with some exceptions.
  • Members are elected at each Business Meeting and can serve for up to six consecutive years (from 2022).
  • Successive chairs must be from different countries and are elected by the AC.
  • Criteria for AC members include active involvement in biology education research, recent presentation at ERIDOB, and experience reviewing conference papers. Hosting ability is desirable.
  • Vacancies must be announced, with calls for nominations issued during the winter before the conference.
  • Nominations require a short CV and support from a proposer and seconder from different countries.
  • If there are more than three candidates per vacancy, the AC shortlists three.
  • The nomination deadline is two months before the conference.
  • Elections are held during the Business Meeting via secret ballot. In case of a tie, the AC votes to decide.
  • Unexpected departures leave the AC one person short until the next election.

4. Conferences

4.1 Held biennially since 1996, alternating with ESERA conferences.
4.2 The AC manages conference organization, including reviewing submissions.
4.3 A blind review process is used, involving reviewers from various countries.
4.4 Conferences are announced on the ERIDOB website and by email.
4.5 Only unpublished proposals are accepted; dual submissions must be declared.
4.6 Submissions must address a clear research question.
4.7 Only one first-authored paper per participant is allowed.
4.8 No participant may present more than once per conference.

5. Conference Fees

5.1 Fees are set to break even, covering LOC costs, proceedings publication, and AC travel/accommodation for planning meetings.

6. Conference Book

6.1 Peer-reviewed papers are published in the Conference Book.
6.2 The LOC manages publication.
6.3 Each paper is blind-reviewed by at least two experienced ERIDOB members.
6.4 Previously published/submitted papers are not allowed.
6.5 Costs are covered by conference fees.
6.6 The LOC distributes the Conference Book to participants.
6.7 ERIDOB’s international book series is Contributions from Biology Education Research (Springer). Editors serve two years, extendable to four. The AC coordinates editor succession with Springer.