Welcome to AERA’s Special and Inclusive Education Research SIG!
We are a collaborative and inclusive community of researchers committed to promoting positive outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families. The purpose of the Special and Inclusive Education Research (SIER) SIG is “to promote the study and dissemination of topics, research-based practices, and research methodologies related to implementation, access, equity, progress, and outcomes in the education of persons with disabilities and their families, advancing equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency throughout the lifespan.”
As the incoming Chair—and as a disabled scholar—I am honored to serve alongside this vibrant community during a time when our work feels more urgent than ever. The sociopolitical climate continues to pose significant challenges to inclusive education, disability rights, and equity across educational systems. Yet, our community remains steadfast in advocating for just and affirming educational experiences that center disabled voices and embrace interdisciplinary approaches.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, we invite our members to engage deeply with the AERA Annual Meeting theme: Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures: Constructing a New Vision for Education Research. This theme challenges us to reflect on our field’s historical foundations—including how special education has both resisted and contributed to inequitable practices—and to envision futures where disability is not marginalized but centered as part of educational justice. As a SIG, we aim to advance research that not only interrogates systemic barriers but also uplifts inclusive practices across the lifespan, including access to communication, academic achievement, postsecondary opportunities, and inclusive employment.
Our programming this year will continue to explore the intersections of disability with other identities, including race, ethnicity, language, gender, class, sexual orientation, and more. We affirm the value of identity-first and person-first language, recognizing that language choice is personal and political. Researchers are encouraged to center disabled individuals as collaborators, not just participants, and to consider how their work promotes robust opportunities for learners across all educational and community contexts.
We remain committed to expanding mentorship and leadership pathways for graduate students. Our two active committees—the Graduate Student Committee and the Neurodiversity and Autism Research in Education Committee (NAREC)—are doing vital work to support emerging scholars and neurodivergent researchers. Members are always encouraged to get involved or propose new committee initiatives aligned with our mission.
As we continue to grow, restructure, and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our membership, we invite you to stay connected. We update members through our listserv, webpage, and our social media listed below:
Thank you for all you do in the areas of special and inclusive education research. Our SIG thrives because of your engagement, insight, and dedication to imagining a more just educational future—one that centers access, equity, and thriving for all learners.
In solidarity,
Jessica McQueston, PhD
Chair, AERA Special and Inclusive Education Research SIG