Pandemic Pedagogy was a collaborative project undertaken by Dr Zailah Zainudin, Dr Satirah Ahmad and Dr Syafiq Mat Noor, which involved promoting action research among educators to combat teaching and learning challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also mentored nine teachers to conduct action research during that period. The project was supported by the Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN), Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM) and Educational Planning and Research Division (EPRD). Since then, Dr Zailah Zainudin, Dr Satirah Ahmad and Dr Syafiq Mat Noor realised that there is a need to have a network to act as a support system for action research practitioners in Malaysia. 

The meeting continued with all eight members (Assoc Prof Dr Sarimah Shaik Abdullah couldn’t attend due to other commitments) introducing themselves. Most of the members come from the Education field, while Dr Amirul Shah Md Shahbudin comes from an Accounting and Finance background, and Dr Pang Jee Ching from the Social Work field. Some members shared their experiences of undertaking action research PhDs, how universities perceived action research as a methodology for postgraduate studies, and academics’ perceptions of action research in Malaysia. Despite some challenges and struggles, the members viewed action research as a robust methodology for “change” with the critical element of “reflection”. Assoc Prof Dr Fariza Puteh Behak shared her view that action research has become more accepted among academics, and some are even willing to collaborate on action research projects. Therefore, in MARNet, the members suggested that we need to continue to elevate action research as a legitimate form of research for continuous professional development and postgraduate studies.

Dr Zailah Zainudin proposed that MARNet should be officially registered and independent. All the members agreed that MARNet should be run as a society (rather than a Non-organisational Organisation, NGO). Therefore, nine members, including Assoc Prof Dr Sarimah Shaik Abdullah, formed the founding committees of MARNet. Dr Pang Jee Ching shared her view that either way, MARNet should be registered under the Societies Act 1966 by applying to the Registrar of Societies (ROS). MARNet’s constitution will be drafted and shared with the committees. MARNet will also have a website, www.marnet.my, and some of the website functions will become a resource and database platform for action research practitioners in Malaysia. Thus far, we have identified 15 Malaysian researchers who have completed PhDs using an action research methodology, and we will publish their work on the website. The members also gave some feedback regarding the initial draft logo for MARNet. Further development of the logo will be undertaken by professionals and shared with the committees.

In addition, the meeting also discussed the MARNet Conference 2021 in conjunction with the CARN International Conference (CARNival 2021). The conference will run from the 3rd to the 8th of October 2021, in a virtual setting. Darul Aman English Language Learning and Teaching Association (DELTA) has agreed to be a fiscal sponsor to handle the conference’s financing. Assoc Prof Dr Sarimah Shaik Abdullah will deliver a keynote speech on “Living Educational Theory” to reflect the theme of the conference: “Raised Voices”. In the meantime, Assoc Prof Dr Nadarajan Thambu, Dr Satirah Ahmad, Dr Amirul Shah Md Shahbudin, Assoc Prof Dr Fariza, Dr Nazatul Akmar Mokhtar and Dr Pang Jee Ching will deliver symposiums across three evenings. We will also open contributions to educators for Pecha Kucha and Photovoice presentations. The schedule and abstracts of the conference will be shared with CARN, which will publish the programme for international audiences.