January 2026

AERA News

AERA 2026 Election Underway—Vote by February 19
The AERA 2026 election opened on January 21, with voting by electronic ballot currently taking place. Read more

2027, 2029 RRE Editors Appointed
Rita Kohli (University of California, Riverside), Justin Coles (University of Massachusetts Amherst), and Dolores Calderón (Western Washington University) have been appointed editors for the 2027 and 2029 editions (Volumes 51 and 53) of Review of Research in Education. Read more

AERA Member Uri Wilensky Honored with 2025 Yidan Prize
AERA member Uri Wilensky (Northwestern University) was honored with the 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Research this past December. Read more

Annual Meeting News

AERA 2026 Annual Meeting Program Now Open—Early Bird Registration Available Through February 13
The online searchable program for the 2026 Annual Meeting opened on January 16. Read more

AERA Awards Luncheon Back After Successful Reintroduction—Reserve Your Seat
After a successful reintroduction at last year’s Annual Meeting, the AERA Awards Ceremony Luncheon is returning for 2026. Read more

AERA is strongly encouraging members and friends of education research to join its continuing effort to expand access to the Annual Meeting for graduate students by giving to the Annual Meeting Graduate Student Assistance Fund. Read more

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Research Policy and Funding News

NSF Unveils Reorganization and Updates to Merit Review Criteria
Recent actions by the National Science Foundation signal potential shifts in agency priorities and may affect how education research proposals are reviewed and funded in future grant cycles. Read more

FY 2026 Appropriations Packages Advance for Federal Education Research Agencies
With the January 30 deadline approaching for the continuing resolution that extended fiscal year 2025 funding for federal agencies that fund education research, Congress moved through January to advance several FY 2026 appropriations packages. Read more

AERA Calls

AERA Open Special Topic on Engaging and Retaining Individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics–Deadline for Abstracts: February 1

2026 Brown Lecture Nominations—Deadline: February 17

Review of Educational Research Volumes 97–99 (2027–2029)–Deadline for Applications: March 2

Call for Editors: Educational Researcher Volumes 56–58 (2027–2029)–Applications due March 2

Bringing Research Forward

Read – In Higher Ed Dive, AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous cautioned that massive federal research cuts have strengthened global competitors and prompted foreign universities to step up recruitment of U.S. researchers, potentially undermining the nation’s innovative edge.

New on the AERA Website: Turning Evidence Into Impact

AERA has published a new resource—"Turning Evidence Into Impact: Why Education Research Matters for Every Learner, in Every Classroom”—that communicates the value of education research to policymakers, practitioners, and the public, highlighting how rigorous evidence informs policy, improves practice, and drives real-world change.

AERA Hiring Announcement: Director of Membership, Outreach, and Engagement

AERA seeks an experienced senior membership professional to lead member service and engagement. Applications should include a resume, letter of interest, and three references; a writing sample will be requested prior to interviews.

Contribute to Federal Research and Data Policy

AERA members are encouraged to submit research- and data-informed comments on the following open opportunities.

NSF 2026-2030 Strategic Plan – Comments Due: January 27
The National Science Foundation released its draft 2026–2030 strategic plan for public input on January 13. The plan reflects administration priorities and is organized around three strategic goals. Comments must be submitted through this form by the deadline.

Shaping Federal Research Policy

Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.

Postsecondary Data Collaborative Letter on IPEDS Implementation (December 15)
AERA joined 34 members and partners of the Postsecondary Data Collaborative on a letter noting concerns with the U.S. Department of Education’s approach to implementing the new Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

AERA Comments on the White House OSTP RFI on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise (December 23)
AERA responded to a Request for Information (RFI) from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), emphasizing the need for OSTP and the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that federal science agencies have sufficient budgets, staffing, and infrastructure to support timely and relevant fundamental and applied research.

AERA Comments on the NSF TIP Directorate Workforce Development Roadmap RFI (January 15)
AERA submitted comments highlighting the importance of partnerships between the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate and the education sector, as well as collaboration with the NSF STEM Education Directorate, to advance the roadmap’s goals of scaling evidence-based curricula and leveraging education research.

In Memoriam

AERA members who have recently passed away

Marilyn Amey (1957–2025)
Marilyn Amey, 67, died on November 5. She was a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University. Read more

Courtney Cazden (1925–2025)
Courtney Cazden, 100, died on December 25. She was the Charles William Eliot Professor of Education Emerita at Harvard University. Read more

Thomas Schwandt (1948-2025)
Thomas Schwandt, 77, died on December 22. Elected an AERA Fellow in 2010, Schwandt was educational psychology professor emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Read more

Beyond AERA

Visit the Beyond AERA webpage for professional advancement opportunities from other organizations, including calls for papers and submissions, meetings and conferences, and other activities.

AERA in the News

Rethinking teacher compensation
Idaho Ed News, January 8

Will higher education researchers leave for opportunities abroad?
Higher Ed Dive, January 5

Arizona nonprofit aims to get foster kids through college
The Tempe Tribune, December 31

Faced with Trump’s deportation push, US teachers fear leaving the classroom
Al Jazeera, December 17

More AERA in the News

AERA Highlights is published by the American Educational Research Association monthly to inform members and others interested in education research about the latest news and developments in AERA and in the field.

Executive Director: Tabbye Chavous
Editor: Tony Pals
Editorial and Production Team: Marla Koenigsknecht, John Neikirk, Audrey Poe
Contributors: Nathan Bell, Marla Koenigsknecht, Audrey Poe, Christy Talbot