AERA Research on LGBTQ Issues in Education

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is committed to ensuring that sound research is brought to bear on issues of significant public policy, including nascent areas of research that may otherwise be neglected. In an increasingly diverse society, educators and policymakers face the challenge of fostering educational environments that are inclusive and welcoming to all students and teachers. Today, schools and teachers at all educational levels must consider whether the educational context facilitates learning for all youth, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer (LGBTQ). School administrators must consider if LGBTQ teachers, aides, or other staff are hindered in the workplace because of discriminatory policies, practices, or comments. LGBTQ issues must be addressed at each grade level from pre-K-12 to higher education as well as in multiple educational contexts from classrooms and playgrounds to college campuses.

Through this initiative AERA seeks to examine the state of research on LGBTQ issues in education through multiple information gathering processes: (1) an extensive literature search and review, (2) an intensive small research workshop of scholars to be held in Fall 2010; and (3) a broad-based call to the education research community for input and ideas on LGBTQ issues in education. We seek knowledge and information on scholarship that addresses LGBTQ issues directly related to education (e.g., student experience and perspectives, child/adolescent counseling, school violence) or in adjacent research areas of relevance (i.e., identity formation, LGBTQ families, workplace discrimination).

AERA will collect scientific knowledge— theoretical, conceptual, methodological, and empirical—to assess what we know and do not know about the impact of LGBTQ issues in education and educational contexts. Scholars will identify research on LGBTQ issues across a broad perspective, determine gaps in the research, and discuss what future research agendas might address. From this information gathering we will produce a published report or monograph and a research brief.

Direct all inquires to George Wimberly, AERA Director of Social Justice and Professional Development, at edresearch@aera.net.

Identifying Key LGBTQ Literature