In a session on the topic of “Analyses on Nonformal and Informal Learning Environments in Educational Panel Studies”, organized by Prof. Dr. Hans-Günther Roßbach and Dr. Jutta von Maurice, Dr. Thomas Bäumer presented the results of Starting Cohort 3 of the National Educational Panel Study on the significance of social heterogeneity in the context of sports activities. At a “German-American Seminar” on “International Perspectives on School Governance”, organized by the German Institute for International Educational Research (Deutsches Institut für Internationale Pädagogische Forschung, DIPF), Prof. Dr. Roßbach represented the Leibniz  Education Research Network (Leibniz-Forschungsverbund Bildungspotenziale, LERN) with a poster presentation; Dr. von Maurice introduced the analysis potentials of the NEPS. Finally, following an invitation of our American colleagues, the LIfBi even presented its work on no less than two data sets at an event of the World Educational Research Association (WERA): NEPS and PIAAC-L. During the convention, the LIfBi was also present with its own exhibition booth; numerous interested researches were able to get themselves informed on analysis potentials of the NEPS data and the various modes of data access. The LIfBi sincerely congratulates AERA on its successful 100th annual meeting!

At the invitation of Vice President David Osher, Ph.D, the LIfBi team visited the American Institute of Education (AIR) after the conference. AIR is involved in a variety of important studies, such as the international comparative studies PIRLS, PIAAC, PISA, and TIMSS. A fruitful exchange took place on the possibilities of a shared use of survey instruments and international comparisons of various age groups.