AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtable Series (RIPRS) Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is AERA membership required to be eligible for the RIPRS? A: Yes. Eligibility to submit to the 2026 RIPRS is limited to 2025 or 2026 Graduate Student members of AERA (i.e., those who have purchased a Graduate Student membership for 2025 or 2026). If a presenting author is not a Graduate Student member of AERA at the time of submission, the submission will not be considered. You can learn more about AERA membership here: https://www.aera.net/Membership/Membership-Categories-Dues.
Q: Can I still submit to RIPRS if I was included as a co-author on an Open Call submission for a different paper? A: No. The RIPRS initiative was established to offer a formal presentation opportunity for graduate students who are engaged in research that is underway but not sufficiently far along to submit a paper to the AERA Annual Meeting Call for Submissions. Graduate students who are authors on any submission to the Annual Meeting Open Call, are not eligible to submit to the RIPRS, even if the Open Call submission is rejected, or concerning a completely different research topic.
Q: How far along should my work be to submit to the RIPRS? A: Work submitted for the RIPRS should be beyond the idea development phase and should clearly articulate the following:
It should be apparent to reviewers that the research question(s) have been specified, and that there is also a well-specified plan in place for data collection (or access) and analysis. If data collection or analysis are not already underway at the time of submission, the submission should provide sufficient evidence (e.g., survey or instrument completed or in-progress, approved access to data set(s)) that the substantive work of the project will be underway soon enough for the author to be able to talk about and get feedback on it at the Annual Meeting.
Q: Is the RIPRS a good place to share dissertation work? A: Yes, the RIPRS is a great place to share dissertation work that is not sufficiently along to submit to the Open Call and meets the other requirements for RIPRS submission.
Q: Can I submit more than 1 paper to the RIPRS? A: Yes, it is possible to submit more than one paper for the RIPRS. However, it is unlikely that any author will have more than one opportunity to present in the RIPRS in a given year. An important aim of the initiative is to offer as many students as possible the opportunity to share their work.
Q: Are submissions with multiple authors eligible for RIPRS? A: Yes, but all presenting authors on a RIPRS submission must be eligible AERA Graduate Student members and must meet all other RIPRS eligibility requirements.
Q: Can I include my advisor as an author on my submission? A: Yes, but if you would like to include an advisor or another author who does not meet the RIPRS eligibility requirements, they must be listed as a non-presenting author, as they are not eligible to present at the RIPRS. Only graduate students who meet all RIPRS eligibility requirements can present work at the RIPRS.
Q: Can I submit to the RIPRS again, if I submitted in previous years? A: Yes, if you meet all the eligibility requirements outlined in the Call including being enrolled in a graduate program during the Annual Meeting.
Q: What citation style should I use for my paper? A: APA is a commonly used citation format. However, you may utilize whatever citation style is appropriate for your work.
Q: What are the formatting requirements for my paper? A: The recommended formatting is outlined in the 2026 Call for submission. The submission requirements section includes an outline for the submission. There is a 1000-word limit (excluding references).
Q: Do figures and tables count toward the maximum 1000 words? A: No, figures and tables do not count toward the 1000-word limit.
Q: What is the timeline for decision notification? A: Decision notification letters will be sent via email by early January. For co-authored papers notifications will be sent to the submitting author.