I’m headed to #AERA16

07 Apr I’m headed to #AERA16

This weekend I will head to Washington, D.C. to attend the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association. I am honored to participate in multiple upcoming sessions with some of the nation’s most thoughtful scholars.

The annual conference is the largest gathering of scholars in the field of education research, according to the organization’s web site. It is described by AERA as a “showcase for ground-breaking, innovative studies in a diverse array of areas — from early education through higher education, from digital learning to second language literacy. It is where to encounter ideas and data that will shape tomorrow’s education practices and policies, and where to connect with leading thinkers from the U.S. and around the world.”

On Saturday, I will present a paper titled “This is a good movement”: College Presidents, External Pressures, and the Responses to the Sit-Ins in 1960.” This paper builds upon my current research examining college president’s speeches during times of student unrest during 1960 – 1964. The session will highlight: 1) how leaders of White institutions encouraged students to cease the student sit-ins in 1960; 2) the unique way leaders of Black institutions encouraged the student sit-ins in 1960; 3) What (if any) connections can be made between the civil rights movement and present-day presidents and chancellor’ responses to students protests against racial climate on college campuses.

On Sunday, I’ll participate in a session titled, The Evolving Higher Education Community: Reflecting on Our Past to Inform the Future of the Field. Chairs of this session are Stephanie J. Blackmon of The College of William & Mary and Michael S. Hevel of The University of Arkansas. Speakers are myself and Kirsten T. Edwards of the University of Oklahoma. The presenter is Susan B. Twonbly of The University of Kansas. This session is set to examine: changing areas of study, development of various subfields, relationship of research to policy and practice, connection to other disciplines, change in training and socialization, mission or focus of the field among other issues.

Also on Sunday, I’ll participate in a session titled, 100 Years of Inequities in Higher Education: A Critical Conversation About the Realization of Social Justice in the Academy. The chair of the session is Lori D. Patton of Indiana University. Speakers include myself along with James D. Anderson of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Joy Ann Williamson-Lott of University of Washington, and Shaun R. Harper of University of Pennsylvania.

The session will reflect on 100 years of higher education inequity, 1916-2016. Each scholar will address a 25-year time span (1916-1940; 1941-1965; 1966-1990; 1991-present) and highlight prominent equity issues and populations most affected; the extent to which the issues have been addressed; how equity issues have changed; and the longstanding issues that remain. Each speaker will offer a set of recommendations for bringing greater awareness to higher education inequities through public scholarship. Audience members will be invited to discuss the role of research and policy toward realizing equity.

I’m looking forward to having thought-provoking discussions. I’ll share some of my experiences on Twitter @eddiercole.

Learn more about #AERA16 here.