This award recognizes a dissertation of exemplary conceptual, methodological and rhetorical quality on an important topic that addresses social contexts of education. Nominees must be members of AERA and must have been awarded the Ph.D. or Ed.D. between May 1, 2013 and November 30, 2023 to be eligible for nomination.

• Nomination Materials – Nominations must include electronic copies of the following:
• A one-page letter and overview from a member of the dissertation committee that can be sent separately from the other materials as an email attachment;
• A title sheet showing the dissertation title, awarding institution, members of the dissertation committee, date of completion of the degree, and nominee’s current contact information; and
• A summary of the dissertation written in APA style not exceeding 7500 words in 12 point font, exclusive of title page, references, and appendices and without author identification.

Early Career Award

This award recognizes an individual in the early stages of her or his career no later than 10 years after receipt of the doctoral degree. The awardee’s research must focus on the social contexts of education.

• Nomination Materials – Nominations must include electronic copies of the following:
• A letter of nomination explaining why this nominee is qualified to be recognized as having an exemplar early career record of research in this area;
• The nominee’s most recent curriculum vitae;
• Two representative scholarly publications by the nominee; and
• Two letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work and qualified to speak on his or her behalf in this area.

Distinguished Contributions to Social Contexts in Education Research – Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes a senior scholar (or group*) who has made distinguished contributions to the systematic examination of the role of social context in education.

• Nomination Materials – Nominations must include electronic copies of the following:
• A cover letter listing the applicable professional achievements of the candidate and stating the reasons that he or she is uniquely qualified to receive the award;
• A copy of the candidate’s most recent curriculum vita;
• A representative publication of journal or book chapter length; and
• Although not required, additional letters of support are welcome. 

Henry T. Trueba Award for Research Leading to the Transformation of the Social Contexts of Education

This award recognizes a scholar (or group*) who has made distinguished contributions leading to the transformation of the social contexts of education, broadly defined.

• Nomination materials must include electronic copies of the following:
• A letter of nomination explaining why this nominee is qualified to be recognized as contributing to the transformation of the social contexts of education;
• The nominee’s most recent curriculum vitae;
• Two representative scholarly publications by the nominee relevant to this award; and
• Two letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work who can provide evidence of how the nominee has contributed to transforming the contexts under which children, youth, or adults either learn and/or teach.

Mentoring Award

This award recognizes a scholar (or group*) who has made distinguished contributions in the mentoring of students, undergraduate and Ph.D. students, as well as junior scholars, contributing to the development of a new generation of scholars who focus on social contexts of education.

Nomination materials must include electronic copies of the following:

• A cover letter describing the research contributions in this area and the reasons he or she is uniquely qualified to receive the award
• A copy of the candidate’s most recent curriculum vita.
• A maximum of two letters of support from former mentees

* Note on group nominations: Nominations of groups are welcome for the Henry Trueba Award, the Distinguished Contributions to Social Contexts in Education Research – Lifetime Achievement, and the Mentoring Award. If the nominees belong to a center, group, lab, etc., the nomination could be made in the name of the group. Otherwise, individuals in the collaborative group could be nominated, but the requirement is that the people or units get nominated for a program of scholarship (not for a few loosely linked papers) that speaks to the spirit of the award. The nomination letter should clearly explain the rationale.