A guide: 20,000 talking education #AERA2016

20,000 people are talking education this weekend in Washington D.C. If you are interested in student success, attending the AERA conference each year is a MUST. The conference is April 8-12 in DC. This year the conference theme is public scholarship.

What is AERA? From the website:

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.

AERA’s more than 25,000 members are faculty, researchers, graduate students, and other distinguished professionals with rich and diverse expertise in education research. They work in a range of settings from universities and other academic institutions to research institutes, federal and state agencies, school systems, testing companies, and nonprofit organizations. Based on their research, they produce and disseminate knowledge, refine methods and measures, and stimulate translation and practical application of research results.

AERA is international in scope.  Nearly 5% of members, representing over 85 countries, reside outside the United States. Over 28% of AERA members are students—approximately 6,500 graduate students and 600 undergraduate students. Over 74% of AERA members report that education is their primary discipline. Other disciplines represented by AERA members include psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science.

The AERA conference is like being a kid in a candy store. Here is my guide to expert public scholarship content at #AERA16.

More details on these #AERA16 sessions:

Saturday

Reducing Research Misuse and Disuse: Taking Scholarship Beyond the Journal to Public Influence

Sat, April 9, 4:05 to 6:05pm, Convention Center, Level One, Room 140 AB

Abstract: Education scholars have documented the weak link between research evidence and policymaking (Lubienski, Scott, & DeBray, 2014). When research is taken up, it is often misused or misunderstood. This session brings influential education policy scholars together to address two issues. First, this session will examine the politics of how research is produced, promoted, and used, highlighting the barriers that limit the efficacy of research. Second, panelists will describe the actions they have taken and tools they have used to promote their work and increase its likelihood of affecting policy. Panelists will also discuss whether researchers’ roles end when the research project is complete or whether scholars have a responsibility to promote their work and act as public intellectuals.

Chairs

• Marialena Dawn Rivera, University of California – Berkeley

• Kate Michelle Rollert, Michigan State University

• Megan Austin, University of Notre Dame

• Julie Marsh, College of William and Mary


Speakers

• Angela Valenzuela, The University of Texas – Austin

• Gary Orfield, University of California – Los Angeles

• Patricia Gándara, University of California – Los Angeles

• Christopher Lubienski, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Janelle Scott, University of California – Berkeley

• Elizabeth DeBray, University of Georgia

• Frederick Hess, American Enterprise Institute

• Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University – Sacramento

• James Anderson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Pedro Noguera, New York University

• Helen Ladd, Duke University


Sunday

The Intersection of Public Scholarship and Social Media: Possibilities, Politics, and Pitfalls

Sun, April 10, 10:35am to 12:05pm, Convention Center, Level One, Room 146 A

Chair

• April Peters, University of Georgia


Presenters

• James Moore, The Ohio State University

• Julian Heilig, California State University, Sacramento

• Bettina Love – Athens, University of Georgia

• Angela Valenzuela, The University of Texas – Austin


Discussant

• Michael Dantley, Miami University


Expanding Learning Opportunities for Underserved Students: The Role of Public Scholarship

Sun, April 10, 10:35am to 12:05pm, Marriott Marquis, Level Four, Mint

Chair

• Francesca Lopez, The University of Arizona


Participants

• Annie Adamian, University of San Francisco

• Julio Fregoso, Santa Ana College


Presenters

• Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University – Sacramento

• Uma Madhure Jayakumar, University of San Francisco

• Andrea Romero, University of Arizona


Discussant

• Jeffrey Milem, The University of Arizona


Monday

Social Context and Social Media: Extending Our Research Through a Professional Online Presence

Mon, April 11, 7:45 to 9:15am, Marriott Marquis, Level Two, Marquis Salon 5

Abstract: This Student Session is designed to help you build a professional online presence for the purpose of disseminating your research to expanded audiences. A panel of faculty and graduate scholars who use multiple digital platforms to extend critical research conversations will share insights and advice on social media and academia. You will learn which digital tools are ideal for research scholars, as well as the benefits, drawbacks, risks, and challenges associated with using social media as an academic. Lastly, you will have time to work in small groups to establish professional Twitter and blog accounts. These experiences will help you share your research with diverse audiences in public spaces. Bring your laptops (other devices) so that you can get started.

Chairs

• Adeyanju Odutola, Clemson University

• Eric Felix, University of Southern California


Participants

• Eric Felix, University of Southern California

• Lalitha Vasudevan, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University – Sacramento

• Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, University of Pennsylvania

• David Kirkland, New York University

• Adrienne Keene, Brown University


Graduate Student Council Fireside Chat: Fundamentals of Public Scholarship

Mon, April 11, 10:00 to 11:30am, Convention Center, Level One, Room 140 AB

Abstract: A central goal of education research is to use scientific knowledge to strengthen and improve education for all. While at times a daunting task that all educational researchers pursue, we have learned that the general public and policy makers also drive changes and improvements in education. As a result, it is essential that the knowledge educational researchers discover be used in shaping public knowledge and the political environment with which educational policies are made. In the spirit of the conference theme, this session will present strategies, techniques, and skills related to public speaking and improvisation as well as how to tell your research “story” in ways that people outside of academia will care.

Chairs

• Gabriel Joey Merrin, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

• Matthew King, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


Speakers

• Ruth Maria López, Brown University

• Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University – Sacramento

• Jaime Del Razo, Brown University


Career Threats and Opportunities: What Is the Role of Social Media in Public Scholarship? (AERA Presidential Session)

See post Ping! Hess, Ravitch, Heilig, Cabrera & Goldrick-Rab #AERA16 #AERAPubScholar

You can also register for the official Live-Stream of #AERAPubScholar

Mon, April 11, 2:45 to 4:15pm, Convention Center, Level Three, Ballroom C

Abstract: Researchers will discuss social media approaches to public scholarship that can democratize education knowledge. Panelists will focus on how social media can advance academic scholarship discussions but also may pose threats to academic careers, particularly for junior scholars. Questions from audience-generated social media will be discussed by the panelists, as both conference participants and streaming viewers from across the nation and world contribute comments and questions in advance and in real-time via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, using the hashtag #AERAPubScholar.

Chair

• Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University – Sacramento


Participants

• Diane Ravitch, New York University

• Sara Goldrick-Rab, University of Wisconsin Madison

• Frederick Hess, American Enterprise Institute

• Nolan Cabrera, The University of Arizona


English Learners and Indigenous Education Policy: Community-Based Reform

Mon, April 11, 4:30 to 6:30pm, Convention Center, Level One, Room 144 C

Chair

• Kip Austin Hinton, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley


Papers

• An Analysis of California’s Local Control Accountability Plans Response to English Learners – Magaly Lavadenz, Loyola Marymount University; Elvira Garcia Armas, Loyola Marymount University; Laurie Olsen, Californian’s Together

• Arizona Language Policy in Practice: The Unique Role of Community Organizations and Organizers – Amy Jennifer Heineke, Loyola University Chicago

• Building Bridges: Community Boundary Spanners’ Role in Fostering Equitable Educational Opportunities in New Immigrant Destinations – Kristina Brezicha, Georgia State University; Megan Hopkins, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Legal and Pedagogical Contexts of English Learners: The Legality of Linguistic Isolation and Developmental Needs – Douglas Reed, Georgetown University; Sabrina L. Wesley-Nero, Georgetown University

• On-Reserve Education: Transitioning From Damage-Centered Policy Practices to Desire-Based Reforms – Miranda Huron, The University of British Columbia


Discussant

• Julian Vasquez Heilig, California State University – Sacramento


 

 

The association also turned 100 this year! Happy Centennial!

Don’t forget to submit your questions for the #AERAPubScholar Presidential session.

Rick Hess not a big fan of #AERA16? I’ll ask him about it when I see him.

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