AERA Comes to Chicago
Education scholars will discuss everything from the wave of legislation banning critical race theory and opportunity landscaping to the QuitTok phenomenon among teachers during the American Educational Research Association’s 2023 annual meeting from April 13 to 16 in Chicago.
This year’s theme, Interrogating Consequential Education Research in Pursuit of Truth,” explores what “truth” really is and who gets to decide. Overall, the conference includes more than 2,000 sessions on key issues in education research, policy, and practice.
The world’s largest gathering of education researchers features more than 100 Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy faculty members, graduate students, undergraduates, and community members. In addition to the in-person sessions, the conference offers a virtual program May 4 - 5.
View our roundup of all SESP presenters and participants.
Thirteen Things to Do at AERA:
Meet (or get a glimpse of) Dean Brayboy.
SESP Dean Designate Bryan Brayboy is participating in the session Critical Race Theory, Truth-Telling, and “Consequential Education Research.” Friday, April 14, 11:40 a.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, East Tower - Ballroom Level - Grand Hall I
Rub shoulders with Nichole PInkard.
Pinkard, the Alice Hamilton Professor of Learning Sciences, was named a fellow of the American Education Research Association. She joins Brian Reiser (2021), Bryan Brayboy (2018), Cynthia Coburn (2015), James Spillane (2012), Carol Lee (2011), Allan M. Collins (2008), Larry Hedges, (2008), Douglas Medin (2008) and Penelope Peterson (2008).
Spread the word on social.
If you're on Twitter, tell us what you're learning and use the hashtags #AERA2023 and #SESPLove. Special prize for the most creative selfie.
Get inspired by the Jan Hawkins Lecture.
SESP's Sepehr Vakil, assistant professor of learning sciences, will deliver the annual Jan Hawkins Lecture at 2:50 p.m. Friday at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Floor: West Tower - Lobby Level, Crystal Ballroom B.
Explore how community-based research can promote learning.
This vice-presidential session, "Co-Designing Educational Justice in Chicago and Evanston: Examining Learning and Change-Making Across Time and Place" features presentations focused on Carol Lee’s work with an African-Centered School Network, Megan Bang’s ISTEAM program, and Paula Hooper and Shirin Vossoughi's work with a summer STEAM and storytelling program serving Black and Latinx middle schoolers in Evanston. Other participants: Jordan Sherry-Wagner, Forrest Bruce, Mya Franklin, Melita Morales, Onam Lansana, Djamila Oumarou, Teyona James-Harris, Bailey Hartley, Samuel Carroll. Friday, April 14, 11:40 a.m., Swissôtel Chicago, Floor: Event Centre, 1st Floor, Zurich E
Look through a grandma's lens. And not just any grandma.
The legendary Carol Lee will deliver the 2021 Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award lecture on How the Science(s) of Human Learning and Diversity Can Inform Foundational Truths About the Centrality and Complexity of Diversity: Wrestling With Interrogations of Race and Resiliency — From a Grandma's Lens. Friday, April 14, 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago, Floor: East Tower- Ballroom Level, Grand Ballroom B.
Congratulate one of our amazing alums.
AERA's Emerging Scholar Award went to Mollie McQuillan (PhD19), assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. McQuillan studies educational policy, social relationships, and the health of gender-expansive students and educators.
Honor "the Mother” of the disability rights movement.
HDSP doctoral student Jen Cowhy, helped coauthor a joint statement recognizing the work and legacy of the late Judy Heumann for the American Educational Research Association. Cowhy is presenting two papers, including "Roadblocks and Supports for Parent Engagement Within Special Education." Thursday, April 13 at 8 a.m. at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Floor: Level 4, Sheraton Ballroom IV and V.
Learn from Indigenous scholars.
Megan Bang, part of the Division K Vice-Presidential session Indigenous Ways and Systems of Knowing and/in Teaching and Teacher Education, which explores the history, power, possibility and future of Indigenous knowledge in teaching and teacher education.
Get up to speed on "Opportunity Landscaping" and education ecosytems.
In this session called "Opportunity Landscaping," Pinkard explains approach that connects civic and community leaders to give children integrated learning opportunities in their neighborhoods. Pinkard will discuss how using historical geospatial modeling of parks, libraries, schools, community centers and related programming can support communities impacted by discriminatory policies such as redlining. Thursday, April 13, 11:40 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Floor: East Tower- Ballroom Level, Grand Hall GH.
Hear how and why teachers are quitting.
Graduate student Melanie Muskin explored teacher resignation stories on TikTok — “QuitToks” — to understand the messages that these viral videos send about the teaching profession during an unprecedented teacher shortage nationwide. Friday, April 14, 11:40 a.m. at Swissôtel Chicago, Floor: Lucerne Level, Alpine II.
Take a tour of Solidarity Studios.
Alumni Kalonji Nzinga (PhD18) and Cesar Almeida (BS18) will help lead a tour of a Chicago hip-hop recording studio that “encapsulates the design principals of hip-hop pedagogy.” The three-hour event will explore how youth find their voices in spaces that support their cultures.
Mingle with our incredible alums.
SESP alumni participating in the conference include: Cesar Almeida, Mari Altshuler, University of Illinois; Eleanor Anderson, University of Pittsburgh; Megan Bang, Northwestern, Barry Fishman, University of Michigan; Erica Halverson, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Cassandra Hart, University of California-Davis; Victor Lee Stanford University; Constance Lindsay, University of North Carolina; Heather McCambly, University of Pittsburgh; Meixi, University of Minnesota; Julissa Muñiz, University of Texas at Austin; Kalonji Nzinga, University of Colorado-Boulder; Nichole Pinkard, Northwestern; Aireale Joi Rodgers, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Carrie Tzou, University of Washington-Bothell; Elizabeth van Es, University of California, Irvine; and Samantha Viano, George Mason University.