On April 22, 2025, more than 50 deans, associate deans, and research leaders gathered in Denver, CO, for the AERA-CURI Spring Policy Conference, held in conjunction with the AERA Annual Meeting. The event took place amid intensifying threats to the federal infrastructure for education research and statistics, offering a timely opportunity for participants to connect, strategize, and engage with policy experts. The meeting opened with remarks from AERA-CURI Executive Committee Chair Kathryn Chval (University of Illinois Chicago) and included an introduction of incoming AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous (University of Michigan). AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine provided a briefing on the urgent challenges confronting the field.
Sessions featured breakout discussions led by higher education leaders to identify top challenges, effective responses, and institutional needs. Heidi Tseu (American Council on Education) shared a national strategy to engage state and local decisionmakers, while Jamie Lewis Keith (EducationCounsel) outlined advocacy approaches for academic freedom and inclusion in today’s federal landscape. The convening closed with a panel on the role of private philanthropy, featuring Na’ilah Suad Nasir (Spencer Foundation) and Adam Gamoran (William T. Grant Foundation), chaired by Stephanie Rowley (University of Virginia).
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