July 2025

At its June meeting, AERA Council unanimously approved a proposal from Division F to change its name from “History and Historiography” to “Historical Inquiry in Education.”

The name change marks a shift in how the division conceptualizes and communicates its focus, and aims to better reflect the broad, inclusive, and evolving nature of historical work across the field of education research. It’s the first AERA division name change since 2018 and only the second major revision since the establishment of Division L decades ago.

“This name change is a recognition of the rich and varied ways historical inquiry contributes to our understanding of education,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “It invites a broader community into the conversation and aligns with the forward-looking and interdisciplinary spirit of our association.”

The move follows a thorough, year-long process led by Division F Vice President Jon Hale (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and a subcommittee including Michelle Purdy (Washington University in St. Louis), Vincent Willis (University of Alabama), and Sherman Dorn (Arizona State University). The subcommittee engaged Division F members through surveys, a virtual town hall, and ongoing dialogue to ensure that the new name reflects the division’s legacy and its aspirations.

Division F members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the change at their April 2025 business meeting, held during the Annual Meeting in Denver.