AERA Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop 

2010 AERA Annual Meeting, Denver, April 30 - May 4

Call for Applications 

Deadline: December 15, 2009

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) invites fellowship applications for an Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop to be held at the 2010 Annual Meeting in Denver. This workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues. Applicants are sought who have potential and interest in pursuing careers as education researchers, faculty members, or other professionals who contribute to the research field.

The workshop, led by junior and senior scholars, will give fellows an overview of how education research is designed across fields, how quantitative and qualitative research methods are used in studies, and how research is applied to education policy and practice. Senior researchers and faculty from both academic institutions and applied research organizations (i.e., ACT, the American Institutes for Research, Educational Testing Service, the College Board, and the Urban Institute) will introduce education research as a field and share their area of expertise and knowledge with the fellows. Workshop activities will also focus on exploring graduate education, applying to graduate school, and beginning a career in education research.

Fellows will be paired with a faculty member and a graduate student who will serve as program mentors. In addition to attending the workshop, fellows will attend preselected paper sessions and presentations during the AERA Annual Meeting.

Dates: Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2, AERA 2010 Annual Meeting, Denver

Award: Fellows will participate in the Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop during the AERA 2010 Annual Meeting in Denver. They will also have the benefit of a distinguished mentor as part of the award. The award includes conference registration and two nights of lodging. The fellows and/or their home institutions are responsible for transportation costs to Denver.

Eligibility: Candidates may come from a broad range of fields across the arts and sciences. Underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be:

  • Students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college in good academic standing.
  • Interested in pursuing a graduate or professional degree that can lend itself to education research areas such as children and youth, school and schooling issues, higher education, education policy, student achievement, curriculum and instruction, education psychology, or education leadership.
  • U.S. citizens or permanent residents. 

Application Requirements:

  • Complete online application at http://www.logiforms.com/formdata/user_forms/7993_9562493/68367/
  • Resume which includes any educational background, training, jobs, activities, honors, and other academic achievements. Include information on any research experiences you may have had. 
  • Personal Statement
    In one statement of no more than 500 words (double spaced) the applicant should address the following:
    1. How are your course work, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, work experiences, and/or other academic and life experiences preparing you to pursue a graduate or professional degree?
    2. What are your education research interests and what are you doing to help further develop these interests and enhance your research and writing skills?
  • An official college transcript from current institution must be mailed to AERA.
  • Letter of recommendation and reference evaluation form (PDF) from a faculty member who is familiar with your academic ability and potential. The letter of recommendation and the reference evaluation form may be emailed to fellowships@aera.net or mailed to AERA.

Guidelines for submitting an electronic letter of recommendation and reference evaluation form:

  • The recommender must combine the letter and reference evaluation form in one PDF file
  • Letter of recommendation must be on institutional letter head with a signature
  • The file name must include the first and last name of the applicant followed by "Recommendation" (i.e. "John Smith Recommendation")
  • The letter and reference evaluation form must originate from the recommender's email address

Or

The letter and reference evaluation form may be sent by U.S. mail to:

AERA Fellowship Office
AERA
1430 K Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005

Applications: AERA will accept applications via the online application system. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of senior scholars and researchers. All materials must be received by 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on December 15, 2009.

About AERA: 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 shares the products of scholarly research with peers, future educational researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the public through its annual meeting, publications, and professional development activities.

Direct all questions to George L. Wimberly, Director of Social Justice and Professional Development, at 202-238-3200 or fellowships@aera.net.