The Qualitative Research Special Interest Group, QRSIG, established in 1987, was created to provide a space within AERA for the discussion of philosophical, ethical, and methodological issues in Qualitative Research as well as to seek cutting edge approaches to qualitative research methods.  The QRSIG strives to legitimize all non traditional forms of research, and to support other SIG's and Divisions with similar interests and goals, including an emphasis on ways that qualitative research may contribute to reducing inequality and injustice in schools and society.

Jun 19, 2020

Dear Qualitative Research SIG members,

In honor and recognition of Juneteenth, commemorating the ending of slavery in 1865, but with acknowledgement of the slavery that still exists today, we join AERA President, Shaun Harper, in his call to examine and disrupt our own complicity in systemic racism in the research we conduct and the systems in which we operate. It is imperative that this includes direct action in our work as a SIG, drawing upon our collective expertise and capacity. Qualitative researchers are in many ways uniquely positioned to take account of and make meaningful change against racist and oppressive systems of power—through our theories, our methodologies, and the contexts in which we conduct our work.

We propose these concrete steps that our SIG can take in the short term:

• Uplift the voices of Black scholars and BIPOC scholars in our program for the 2021 conference through centering their work in panel and paper presentation spaces.
• Include explicit focus on anti-racist and abolitionist qualitative research in the 2021 program
• Support Black and BIPOC graduate students through graduate student travel awards and SIG mentoring
• Amplify the voices of Black and BIPOC scholars through our podcast

As you prepare your 2021 AERA submissions (DEADLINE: July 22, 11:59 pm PDT), under the theme, "Accepting Educational Responsibility," we urge you to submit proposals that speak directly to the power of qualitative research in the present moment. If you identify as Black or BIPOC or if your work directly addresses anti-racist and abolitionist qualitative research through its theoretical framework or methodology, we encourage you to highlight that in your proposal if you are comfortable doing so.

This work and our commitment must extend beyond the Annual Meeting, and we must evaluate the current state of the SIG as well. In the longer term, we will host listening sessions with our SIG community so that we may plan together and implement actions to address how our community can support one another in sustaining anti-racist efforts.

The Executive Committee of the Qualitative Research SIG