Hello Division G!
As per the Division G Bylaws,
The purposes of Division G are to advance scholarly knowledge about how social contexts (e.g., racial, gendered, sexual orientation, political, socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, etc.) inform, frame, and transform the processes of education and to encourage scholarly inquiry related to the relationship among schools, schooling, and the larger society.
The leadership Team of Division G takes this call very seriously. Division G has always sought to amplify quieted voices and magnify the learning and educational experiences of children, youth, and adults. In the Division that is “Simply the Best” of all the AERA Divisions, the leadership team will continue to have a laser focus on the social contexts of education that impact every facet of people’s experiences in formal and informal learning environments.
Excitedly, there are new and forthcoming changes in Division G! If Division G was a car, we are about to “Pimp Our Ride!” We have set new practices for the Division, such as open calls for members to volunteer and serve as leaders of Division G. This year we have new program chairs, section chairs, and award and standing committee chairs and members. As a member of the AERA Executive Board, I am pushing for changes across AERA, such as conference funding opportunities for mid-career and senior scholars.
We changed the Division G sections in the 2026 Call for Proposals for the 2027 meeting. These changes reflect the diverse scope of our scholarship without removing our previous validation of varied theories, methodologies, and conceptual frameworks. Importantly, the new sections allow us to build and grow scholarship in areas that require sustained attention. As the field of education research changes, along with the social and political local and global contexts embedded in our work, we will continue to reflect and (attempt to) transform the lives and myriad experiences of individuals and groups. Our work will continue to document and critique institutions, interrogate structures, question policies and decision-making practices, and examine the various facets of social contexts in education.
Another major change to Division G is the new International Junior Graduate Student Representative position! This position will help us highlight and support the work of our international students. Perhaps, there has never been a more important moment to plant our feet in solidarity with graduate students and scholars across the spectrum of global education for social justice. We hope to strengthen our international networks, scholarship, and opportunities for collaboration.
Last, but not least, let us introduce you to SMACK! Social Media Advocates for Community and Knowledge. Let’s Talk SMACK! This amazing team of social media masters and web management wonders are changing how we communicate and share information and generate calls for action with the Division G membership. They are ready to go! So, if you’re lucky, you might get SMACKed!
Most importantly, as Division G leaders, we are invested in research, scholarship, and advocacy that produce knowledge, resources, creativity, and movements, and lead to increased equity and justice in underserved and marginalized communities. As the leadership team settles into our new roles- me most of all, we will ‘bring da funk’ and fun to service in Division G. Hold on! It’s about to go down!
Thandeka K. Chapman Vice President, Division G