International Students, Academic Writing and Plagiarism Conference
Lancaster University, 5-7th September 2007
The conference marked the end of a three year research and development project jointly conducted by Lancaster University Management School and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
The theme emerges from an increasing concern with the uncritical adoption of plagiarism detection software and stereotypical characterisation of international students as potential plagiarists. We recruit international students who have done well in their home institutions, yet provide little, and often unsuitable, advice on how to succeed in UK Higher Education. This mismatch of expectations becomes particularly apparent in academic writing, where previously acceptable practices are often interpreted as deliberate attempts to deceive.
During the conference (conference programme) we heard presentations on educational practices at undergraduate level in China, Greece and India (three countries that send the most students to the UK) and applied linguistics research on academic writing in practice. We presented our analysis of the limitations of plagiarism detection software and sought to address the complexities of plagiarism policies at the University level. We hope that the mix of research results and policy implications will have a significant impact on Higher Education practice in the UK and elsewhere.
