September 2024

University of Michigan Law School Professor Elise Boddie will present the 2024 Brown Lecture in Education Research on  Thursday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. ET.  The lecture will address the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education amid modern challenges to public education and democracy. Titled “Brown v. Board of Education and the Democratic Ideals,” Boddie will examine how the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling continues to resonate in an era when the values of equality, opportunity, and justice are under threat.

Professor Boddie will explore the enduring significance of Brown as a guiding light for democracy, particularly in moments of social and political peril. By drawing on the experiences and lessons of educational pioneers, both historical and contemporary, Boddie will propose a vision of freedom that transcends the classroom, extending into the broader context of American democracy.

The Brown Lecture is a public event. It is free, but requires registration. Attendees can register to join in person at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, D.C., or to watch via livestream. Following the lecture, a discussion forum will be held, offering in-person Q&A.

“We are thrilled to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Brown ruling this year with a lecture from Professor Boddie, who will provide important perspective on the decision through a policy and legal lens,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine.

The Brown Lecture illuminates the important role of research in advancing understanding of equality and equity in education. It was inaugurated in 2004 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, in which the U.S. Supreme Court took scientific research into account.