LONDON.- Now in its fourth year, the Royal Institute of British Architects' annual Research Symposium has become an important fixture in the architectural community's calendar.

Following the success of 2008's symposium on space standards, this year's event turns its attention to the subject of the profession itself, at a time when architects have had to look at and question the ways in which they operate. Titled Changing Practices, the Symposium will provide a context for those discussions, presenting the challenges and opportunities for architectural practice; it will explore how practice evolved in the past, operates in the present, and might change in the future.

The Symposium will be organised in four sessions:

• The Evolution of Practice will look at the history of the profession

• The Organisation of Practice will review how practices are structured and managed

• The Politics of Practice will explore the ideologies and belief systems that shape practice

• The Future of Practice will examine other ways in which architectural intelligence might be deployed

This year the RIBA welcomes Anne Lacaton of Parisian practice Lacaton and Vassal (winner of the 2008 French Grand Prix National de L'Architecture) who will deliver the keynote speech. The practice is reknowned for their projects that extend the social and economic frontiers of architecture. The event will be convened by Jeremy Till of the University of Westminster and Tatjana Schneider of the University of Sheffield.