Award Information
Award Information
 
Division G Award Information
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AERA Division G recognizes scholars whose research, teaching, mentoring, creative work, and service advance understanding of the social contexts of education.

Each year, Division G invites nominations for awards recognizing distinguished scholarship and contributions across career stages. This page provides information about each award, including eligibility requirements, required nomination materials, and submission instructions.

2027 Division G Awards Cycle
Nominations are now open for the 2027 AERA Division G Awards. Division G members are encouraged to nominate outstanding colleagues and scholars whose work reflects the purpose and criteria of each award.

Self-nominations are not accepted.

Submit a Nomination

Division G Awards Nomination Form 
(for all awards except the Distinguished Dissertation Award and Luis Moll Outstanding Book/Creative Work Award.)

Distinguished Dissertation Award Nomination Form

Luis Moll Outstanding Book/Creative Work Award Nomination Form

Nomination deadline: December 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Nominators are strongly encouraged to submit materials before the deadline. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Questions about the awards or nomination process may be directed to the Division G Secretary.

We look forward to receiving your nominations and recognizing the outstanding contributions of members of the Division G community.

 
 
Important Note
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Group nominations are welcomed for the Henry T. Trueba Award, Distinguished Contributions to Social Contexts in Education Research — Lifetime Achievement Award, and Outstanding Mentoring Award.

A center, research group, laboratory, or other established collaborative may be nominated collectively. Groups of individual collaborators may also be nominated when their nomination reflects a sustained program of scholarship or mentoring rather than a small collection of loosely connected projects.

The nomination letter should clearly describe the nature of the collaboration and explain how the group's collective contributions reflect the purpose of the award.

 
 
Distinguished Dissertation Award
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This award recognizes a dissertation of exemplary conceptual, methodological, and rhetorical quality on an important topic that addresses social contexts of education. Nominees must be members of AERA and must have been awarded the Ph.D. or Ed.D. between May 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026 to be eligible for nomination. Prior nominees are not eligible.

Nominations must include electronic copies (Word or PDF only) of the following uploaded through the Google Forms link:

  • A one-page cover letter and overview from a member of the dissertation committee 
  • The nominee’s current curriculum vitae along with a title sheet showing the dissertation title, awarding institution, members of the dissertation committee, date of completion of the degree, and nominee’s current contact information; and
  • A summary of the dissertation written in APA style (double-spaced, 12-point font, etc.) that does not exceed 10-15 pages total--not counting the title page, references, and appendices.
 
 
Mentoring Award
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This award recognizes a scholar (or group*) who has made distinguished long-term contributions in the mentoring of undergraduate and/or graduate students, as well as junior scholars, contributing to the development of a new generation of scholars who focus on social contexts of education. Historically, this award has been given to individuals who are at least mid-career who have demonstrated consistent dedication to their mentoring practices, though exemplary early-career scholars are also eligible.

Nominations must include electronic copies (Word or PDF only) of the following uploaded through the Google Forms link:

  • A cover letter describing the contributions in this area and the reasons the nominee is uniquely qualified to receive the award;
  • The nominee’s most recent curriculum vita;
  • A maximum of two letters of support from former and/or current mentees.
 
 
Henry T. Trueba Award for Research Leading to the Transformation of the Social Contexts of Education
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This award recognizes a scholar (or group*) who has made distinguished contributions leading to the transformation of the social contexts of education, broadly defined.

Nominations must include electronic copies (Word or PDF only) of the following uploaded through the Google Forms link:

  • A cover letter explaining why this nominee is qualified to be recognized as contributing to the transformation of the social contexts of education;
  • The nominee’s most recent curriculum vitae;
  • Two representative scholarly publications by the nominee relevant to this award; and
  • Two letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work who can provide evidence of how the nominee has contributed to transforming the contexts under which children, youth, or adults either learn and/or teach.
 
 
Early Career Award
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This award recognizes an individual in the early stages of their career no later than 10 years after receipt of the doctoral degree. The awardee’s research must focus on the social contexts of education.

Nominations must include electronic copies (Word or PDF only) of the following uploaded through the Google Forms link:

  • A cover letter explaining why the nominee is qualified to be recognized as having an exemplar early career record of research in this area;
  • The nominee’s most recent curriculum vitae;
  • Two representative scholarly publications by the nominee; and
  • Two letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work and qualified to speak on his or her behalf in this area.
 
 
Luis Moll Outstanding Book/Creative Work Award
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This award celebrates outstanding books and creative works that reflect Dr. Moll’s vision to illuminate the deep knowledge systems embedded in families, communities, and everyday life. By honoring these contributions, the award not only pays tribute to Dr. Moll’s profound influence but also inspires future scholarship, storytelling, and artistic expression that reimagine what it means to teach and learn through the lens of community knowledge. Only one nominated work can be submitted per nominee per award cycle. Book/creative work must have been published or equivalent within the past two calendar years (2024-2026) and cannot have been previously nominated for this award.

Nominations must include electronic copies (Word or PDF only) of the following uploaded through the Google Forms link:

  • A cover letter describing the nominee’s contribution in this area and the reasons the nominated book/creative work is uniquely qualified to receive the award;
  • The nominee’s most recent curriculum vita;
  • A brief summary of the nominee’s book/creative work, not exceeding two pages
  • An electronic copy of the book/creative work under consideration.

If an electronic copy of book/creative work is not available, then five physical copies must be mailed to award committee members so that they are received by the nomination deadline. Please contact Div G Secretary for further instructions regarding physical mailing.

 
 
LIfetime Achievement Award – Distinguished Contributions to Social Contexts in Education Research
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This award recognizes a senior scholar (or group*) who has made distinguished contributions to the systematic examination of the role of social context in education.

Nominations must include electronic copies (Word or PDF only) of the following uploaded through the Google Forms link:

  • A cover letter listing the applicable professional achievements of the candidate and stating the reasons that the nominee is uniquely qualified to receive the award;
  • The nominee’s most recent curriculum vita;
  • Two representative scholarly publications of journal or book chapter length; and
  • Two letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work and qualified to speak on his or her behalf in this area.