May 2026

AERA will launch the 2026 Virtual Research Learning Series on June 10. Held throughout June and July, the series will feature four professional development and training courses designed to strengthen research capacities and skill sets. Led by expert faculty of researchers and scholars, the courses will combine lectures and hands-on activities tailored for virtual participants. Courses will be conducted live in a webinar format, with recordings available on demand through the AERA Virtual Research Learning Center.

The four courses will provide participants with practical skills in data collection and data analysis. Topics include survey design, conducting interviews, qualitative data analysis, and the use of AI with multimodal evidence. Structured to engage participants at multiple skill levels, the courses are appropriate for graduate students, early career scholars, practitioners, and other researchers seeking to build new knowledge and skills. Each course will include participant interaction, discussion, and Q&A.

The courses include:

RL2026-1: Better Surveys, Better Data: A Practical Guide for Researchers
Wednesday, June 10, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET
Instructors: Ting Yang (NORC) and David Dutwin (NORC)

RL2026-2: Data Science, Interactive Visualizations, and Generative AI Tools for the Analysis of Qualitative, Mixed-Methods, and Multimodal Evidence
Wednesday, June 17, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET
Instructors: Manuel S. González Canché (University of Pennsylvania) and Chelsea Zhang (University of Pennsylvania)

RL2026-3: Developing Theory Through Qualitative Inquiry
Wednesday, June 24, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET
Instructor: Johnny Saldaña (Arizona State University)

RL2026-4: Using the Interview Quality Reflection Tool (IQRT) to Hone the Craft of Interviewing
Monday, July 13, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET
Instructors: James L. Huff (University of Georgia), Jerrod Henderson (University of Houston), Sindia R. Rivera-Jiménez (University of Florida)

Course descriptions and registration information are available at VRLS2026. AERA is offering the courses at $40 each. Registration includes both the four-hour live class experience and continued on-demand access to the course recording.

“We are pleased to offer courses that are fundamental to conducting research and analyzing data,” said George Wimberly, AERA director of professional development. “These courses will be a significant resource to the education research community.”

Early registration is encouraged. Questions about the courses should be directed to profdevel@aera.net.