we look forward to seeing you at aera 2025!
april 23-27, 2025, denver, colorado
we look forward to seeing you at the division c events and learning more about your research. our division c program and section chairs have curated an exceptional lineup of papers, posters, and roundtables that showcase the groundbreaking work of our members.
see our announcements below to learn more about division c events at the 2025 annual meeting!
The 2025 Annual Meeting is just around the corner! Check out our major Division program events!
Join us for Preparing for the Future: An Academic & Industry Job Market Workshop on Wednesday, April 23, from 4:20 to 5:50 p.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 3B. Hosted by Danielle Berry and Rebecca Myers, this interactive session features a distinguished panel of scholars—Cristina D. Zepeda (Vanderbilt University), Benjamin C. Heddy (University of Oklahoma), Joseph Eisman (University of Pennsylvania), Margaret Wallace (Washington University in St. Louis), Allison Zengilowski (Lehigh University), and Alexandra A. Lee (Instructure). With a focus on uncovering the hidden curriculum surrounding the academic and industry job market, the session will begin with a panel discussion exploring key questions and personal insights related to research, teaching, postdoctoral, and industry roles. Attendees will then break into interactive, position-specific workshop groups, gaining direct access to panelists’ expertise and practical strategies for navigating the job search process with confidence.
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Join us for Resistance, Survivance, and Thrivance in the Era of the Professor Watchlist on Thursday, April 24, from 9:50 to 11:20 a.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 3C. Organized by Amy Lynn Jasmin Mueller (University of Oklahoma), this timely panel features esteemed scholars Gloria J. Ladson-Billings (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Francesca López (Pennsylvania State University), and Jessica T. Decuir-Gunby (University of Southern California). In an age of intensified scrutiny and shifting legislation, this session creates space for scholars engaged in critical and DEI work to share powerful narratives of resistance, resilience, and empowerment. Attendees will hear firsthand how these trailblazers have navigated academia, policy, and political resistance—emerging not only as survivors but as leaders who thrive. Whether you're already immersed in this work or preparing for what's ahead, this session offers community, insight, and a call to collective action. Let your voice be part of this essential conversation.
Join us for the Div C Fireside Chat: From Proposal to Defense—Navigating the Ph.D. Dissertation Journey on Thursday, April 24, from 9:50 to 11:20 a.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level, Mile High Ballroom 4CD. Hosted by Danielle Berry and Rebecca Myers, this session addresses the significant challenge of Ph.D. attrition in the U.S., which hovers between 30–50%, with the dissertation process often cited as a major hurdle. Panelists Molly L. Taylor (Virginia Commonwealth University), Jaylene Patterson (University of Kentucky), Elise C. Allen (University of Northern Colorado), Annabel Stoler (Boston University), and Stephen P. Tarsitano (Montclair State University) will candidly share their experiences navigating the dissertation journey—from proposal to defense. This intimate conversation will illuminate common barriers, strategies for success, and lessons learned, followed by an open Q&A where attendees can engage directly with the panel. Whether you're early in your program or approaching the finish line, this chat offers valuable guidance and peer support for every step of the doctoral journey.
Join us for the symposium Applying Complexity Frameworks to Self-Regulated Learning Research: From Theoretical Models to Practical Tools on Thursday, April 24, from 9:50 to 11:20 a.m. at the Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 103. Organized by Megan Wiedbusch (University of Central Florida), Daryn Dever (University of Florida), and Roger Azevedo (University of Central Florida), with Jonathan C. Hilpert (University of Nevada–Las Vegas) serving as discussant, this session brings together four papers that explore the dynamic, non-linear nature of self-regulated learning (SRL). The symposium includes two empirical studies utilizing trace data to capture SRL engagement across both single lessons and week-long learning experiences, as well as two conceptual papers that delve into theoretical models of metacognition in team contexts and propose new analytical methods for studying the emergence of SRL processes. By bridging theoretical insights with practical tools, this session offers a compelling look at how complexity science frameworks can advance our understanding and measurement of SRL.
Join us for The Art of Writing Theory: Insights and Supports for Aspiring Authors in Educational Psychologist on Thursday, April 24, from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 605. This session offers invaluable guidance for scholars—especially early-career researchers and graduate students—interested in developing and publishing theoretical work in Educational Psychologist. Attendees will gain insider perspectives on what makes strong theoretical writing, how to craft compelling arguments, and how to navigate the publication process. Whether you're refining a manuscript or just beginning your journey as a theory-driven scholar, this session provides practical insights and support to help elevate your work and contribute meaningfully to the field.
Don’t miss the sixth annual Division C Shark Tank: Graduate Students Pitch Equity and Inclusion–Focused Research Designs (for Money) on Thursday, April 24, from 3:35 to 5:05 p.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 2C. Co-hosted by Whitney N. McCoy (Duke University), Danielle Berry, and Rebecca Myers, this exciting event is a collaborative effort between the Division C Equity and Inclusion and Graduate Student Committees. Inspired by the popular TV show, this research design competition invites graduate students to pitch their equity- and inclusion-focused research proposals for the chance to receive funding. Proposals must explore issues of learning and instruction, with an emphasis on the experiences of underrepresented groups and/or international populations through culturally relevant constructs or theoretical frameworks. Judges Kamden Strunk (Virginia Commonwealth University), Taylor Payne (Rice University), and Korinthia D. Nicolai (Indiana University) will provide feedback and select proposals for funding. Come support these emerging scholars and witness innovative research ideas take shape in real time!
Join us for How to Create Environments of Belonging for Students: New Perspectives on School Belonging Research on Thursday, April 24, from 5:25 to 6:55 p.m. at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 3C. Organized by Carlton J. Fong (Texas State University) and Chris Rozek (Washington University in St. Louis), and featuring DeLeon Gray (North Carolina State University) as discussant, this session brings together authors of 12 papers to explore the latest advancements in school belonging research. Drawing on diverse perspectives—including social and educational psychology, PK–12 and higher education research, as well as observational and intervention studies—this session addresses key issues such as defining and measuring belonging, its links to constructs like motivation and achievement, and evidence-based strategies to foster belonging in educational settings. The conversation will synthesize current models, methods, and theories while highlighting future research directions, offering attendees a rare opportunity to engage with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary view of belonging in schools.
Join us for Advancing Equity for Early-Career Scholars: Funding Pathways to Explore Justice-Centered Learning Environments on Friday, April 25, from 9:50 to 11:20 a.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 2C. Chaired by Whitney N. McCoy (Duke University), this session features Terrell R. Morton (University of Illinois at Chicago), Misha N. Inniss-Thompson (Cornell University), and Lora Henderson Smith (University of Virginia), with Marketa Burnett (University of Connecticut) serving as discussant. As systemic inequities continue to shape access to inclusive and high-quality learning environments, this panel provides essential guidance for early-career scholars seeking funding to support equity-centered educational research. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for securing grants from agencies such as the NSF and Spencer Foundation, building community partnerships, incorporating local feedback into proposals, and aligning research goals with justice-focused funding priorities. This session empowers emerging scholars to design transformative learning environments and develop research portfolios that advance educational equity and drive lasting change.
Join us for Navigating Educational Research: Key Decisions, Challenges, and Ethical Choices in Messy Data Collection and Analysis on Friday, April 25, from 11:40 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 102. Organized by Xiao-Yin Chen (University of Tennessee), Korinthia D. Nicolai (Indiana University), and DeLeon Gray (North Carolina State University), with contributions from Dr. Carlton Fong, Dr. Daniela DiGiacomo, and Ph.D. candidates Taylor Cummings and Destiny Williams-Dobosz, this session dives into the often-unspoken realities of educational research. Especially when centering equity or challenging systems of power, research can feel “messy”—a complexity rarely addressed beyond the limitations section of published work. This session encourages researchers to embrace that messiness as a source of growth and transformation. Through open dialogue and reflexive practice, participants will explore innovative strategies to navigate methodological and ethical challenges, fostering research that adapts to shifting sociopolitical landscapes and supports more just and impactful scholarship.
Join us for Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum: The Past, Present, and Future of Theory Development in Educational Psychology on Friday, April 25, from 3:20 to 4:50 p.m. MDT at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 2B. Chaired by Jeff A. Greene (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill) and Krista A. Robinson (McGill University), this session brings together a distinguished panel of leading scholars—including Reinhard Pekrun, Sarit Barzilai, Clark A. Chinn, Panayiota Kendeou, Jessica T. Decuir-Gunby, Paul A. Schutz, Karen R. Harris, Richard E. Mayer, Doug Lombardi, Gale M. Sinatra, Janelle M. Bailey, Lucas Payne Butler, Patricia A. Alexander, and P. Karen Murphy—with Francesca López (Pennsylvania State University) serving as discussant. Building on a recent collection in Educational Psychology Review, this session tackles the field’s ongoing “theory development malaise” by uncovering the often-overlooked processes, decisions, and philosophies that shape theoretical innovation. Through an interactive panel discussion, attendees will gain critical insight into the “hidden curriculum” of theory-building, with the goal of inspiring and equipping the next generation of educational psychology theorists.
Join us for the Division C Sylvia Scribner Award Session on Saturday, April 26, from 9:50 to 11:20 a.m. MDT (11:50 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. EDT) at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 3D. This prestigious session honors the legacy of Sylvia Scribner by recognizing outstanding scholarship that bridges theory, research, and practice in learning and instruction. The award highlights contributions that exemplify Scribner’s commitment to understanding the cultural and cognitive dimensions of learning. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the award recipient(s), engage in thought-provoking dialogue, and celebrate impactful work that continues to shape the field of educational psychology. This session is a must-attend for scholars interested in transformative, equity-centered research and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
Celebrate emerging excellence in educational research at the Division C Jan Hawkins Award and Outstanding Early Career Scholar Award Session on Saturday, April 26, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. MDT (3:30 to 5:00 p.m. EDT) at the Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level, Bluebird Ballroom Room 3D. This special session honors early career scholars whose innovative and impactful research is shaping the future of learning, instruction, and technology. The Jan Hawkins Award recognizes contributions that reflect a deep commitment to social justice and the transformative use of technology in education, while the Outstanding Early Career Scholar Award celebrates promising scholarship across diverse areas of educational psychology. Join us as we hear from this year’s awardees, learn about their groundbreaking work, and support the next generation of thought leaders in the field.
Join us for Co-Constructing the Future of Division C: Aligning Structure With Contemporary Scholarship on Saturday, April 26, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. MDT (3:30 to 5:00 p.m. EDT) at the Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 605. This interactive session invites Division C members to engage in a collaborative dialogue about how the division's current structure can better reflect and support the evolving landscape of educational research. As scholarship becomes increasingly interdisciplinary, equity-centered, and innovative in methodology, this session offers a space to reimagine how Division C can grow and adapt. Attendees will explore ideas for organizational change, share feedback, and help shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking framework that honors both longstanding traditions and emerging directions in the field.
All Division C members are invited to attend the Division C Business Meeting and Reception on Saturday, April 26, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. MDT (9:00 to 10:30 p.m. EDT) at the Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Room 3BC. This annual gathering provides an important opportunity to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, recognize award recipients and outgoing leaders, and discuss the future directions of the division. Following the meeting, enjoy a lively reception where members can connect, network, and celebrate the vibrant Division C community. Whether you're a long-time member or newly engaged, this event is a great way to stay informed, get involved, and build meaningful connections within the field of learning and instruction.
More info on the Annual Meeting can be found here: https://www.aera.net/Events-Meetings/AERA-2025-Annual-Meeting
We are pleased to request nominations for Division C 2025 awards! See links to each award call for nominations below, along with the corresponding due dates.
Questions about an award can be forwarded to the award chairs listed for each respective award (see the call for nominations).
For a list of academic job postings submitted from Division C members, check out our job postings page.
New job and other opportunity listings can be submitted via the request form.
Winners of Division C Awards announced at AERA. Click here to see the list of awards and winners.
Division Officers Committees
Divison C Bylaws
AERA maintains a job board for currently posted positions at institutions of Division C members.
To post a job to the board, send it to the Division C webmaster.