Click on the images to see more photos from those events.
Scott delivers her presidential address, "Education Research for a Time Such as This."
Fifth graders from Oakland Unified School District celebrate with Scott after her presidential address. The students attended AERA to present their research on whether muli-lingual students feel supported at their school, "Radical Imagination, Transformative Teaching Practices, and BIPOC Communities: Multiply Marginalized Children as Participatory Action Researchers."
BSE alumna, Stanford University Professor and 2025-26 AERA President Maisha T. Winn PhD '03 (l) receives the presidential gavel from BSE Professor and 2024-25 AERA President Janelle Scott.
2024-25 AERA President Janelle Scott is presented with a placque for her service to the organization. (l to r) AERA past President Tyrone C. Howard; 2025-26 AERA President Maisha T. Winn; 2024-25 AERA President Janelle Scott; and outgoing AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine.
BSE alumna, Stanford University Professor and 2025-26 AERA President Maisha T. Winn PhD '03 (l) and BSE Professor and 2024-25 AERA President Janelle Scott.
Several former AERA presidents help celebrate the closing of Janelle Scott's tenure as AERA president and welcome 2025-26 AERA President Maisah T. Winn. On the right is AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine, who is stepping down after 20+ years.
"This was my very first academic/professional conference and I feel so blessed to have been able to experience this as an undergraduate student. I talked to so many wonderful people who were open to keeping in touch with me after the events. It was also so interesting hearing from people from all walks of life, listening to their experiences, and how it all led to them being at the biggest teacher conference in the country. All the sessions offered were so interesting and it was hard to choose a single one for each time slot. I ended up going to a lot of sessions focused on AI and technology in primary and secondary education, in which I gained new perspectives to something I had previously (and presently) disagreed on. Overall, I had an amazing time and I hope undergraduates in the future have the chance to experience this amazing conference."
Theresa Tran, Undergraduate, 4th Year
"Attending the AERA conference didn’t just inspire me; it reminded me that self-determination is tangible, living, and already unfolding – and I have the power, with community and intention, to claim it as mine. I want to thank Professor Bristol not only for bringing us, but for loving and challenging us into becoming our most unrecognizable selves – the selves we dared not dream of. He deserves more than flowers; he deserves entire harvests of orchards for planting unimaginable futures in his students. I cannot thank him enough for teaching us that transformation is not only possible, it is inevitable when we name our worth and live our lives like we mean it. As students of color – especially those of us who are first-generation and/or low-income – we should not feel the need to earn or deserve our place in this world; we were, and are, always worthy of it."
Althea Bustos Ito, Undergraduate, 2nd Year
"Attending the AERA conference reignited my excitement about becoming a teacher. In Denver, I learned from researchers across the country and around the world. Being surrounded by so many accomplished, diverse educators pushing the field forward made me dream bigger, and one day I will present my own contributions. The encouragement and support I received from fellow scholars reminded me that even in tough times, real change is possible when we show up and stay committed to lifting one another up."
Jason Conyers, Undergraduate, 3rd year
Doctoral student Yared Portillo received the Emerging Scholar Award from AERA's Language and Social Processes SIG. Presenting the award to Yared is LSP SIG Chair Michiko Hikida, an Associate Professor at The Ohio State University.
Assistant Professor Eos Trinidad (r) was named Outstanding Reviewer for 2024, for AERA's publication Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. BSE Dean Michelle D. Young (l) celebrates with him.
Associate Professor Cati V de los Ríos received the 2025 Early Career Award from AERA's Social Context of Education, Division G. The division's Vice President Cleveland Hayes, a professor at Indiana University - Indianapolis.
Professor Gina Garcia was named Outstanding Reviewer 2024 for AERA's publication AERA Open.
Professor Dor Abrahamson was named Outstanding Reviewer for 2024 for AERA's publication Review of Educational Research.
Professor Emeritus Geoffrey B. Saxe was awarded the Sylvia Scribner Award from AERA's Learning and Instruction, Division C.
Presenting paper, "Engaging Critical Policy Analysis as a Practice-Relevant Framework for PK-12 Educational Leaders."
Presenting paper: "Exploring the Impact of Race on Special Education Due Process Usage in California."
Presenting paper, "Exploring Theoretical Foundations: A Systematic Review of the Scholarship on Statewide Transfer Articulations."
"Attending AERA was an inspiring and affirming experience. Being surrounded by scholars, leaders, and changemakers reminded me why I entered this field, to be part of a community committed to justice and equity. In a time when democracy and education are under attack, being in community felt not just timely but essential. The sessions, conversations, and collective energy left me feeling more grounded and hopeful. Leaving AERA, I am renewed with purpose and a deep gratitude for being part of a community working toward a more just and inclusive future. "
Quennie Dong, PhD Candidate, School Psychology
"It was my first AERA conference, and I had an amazing time! It was truly inspiring to connect with so many scholars from all around the world who are passionate about making a difference in education. I was so grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, experience such a wide range of perspectives, and be part of such a vibrant community. I came back feeling energized, inspired, and full of new ideas. It felt overwhelming to choose which session to go to as there were so many great presentations happening at the same time. I am excited to return next year in Los Angeles!"
İlke Bayazıtlı, PhD Student, 2nd year, School Psychology
"Attending AERA 2025 in Denver was an incredible experience! I had the opportunity to share my research with a broader audience and engage in meaningful conversations that deepened my understanding of school leadership. Meeting scholars from around the world expanded my perspectives and allowed me to grow my professional and scholarly network in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It was inspiring to connect with individuals whose work I admire and exchange ideas that will shape my future projects. Most special was strengthening bonds with friends from the BSE, professors included, whose support and camaraderie made the experience even more rewarding!"
Francis Rojas, EdD Candidate, MA '10
Presenting research: "Cultivating Resilience During Unusual Times: Voices of School Principals in California"
Paper presentation: "Principals’ Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction: Job Demands and Resources Analysis During the Post-Pandemic Recovery."
Presenting paper: "AAPI Leadership Voices and Reflections on Finding Resilience During a Time of Anti-Asian Violence."
Cheung served as the discussant in the session, "Cultivating Resilience During Challenging Times: Stories of Underrepresented and Marginalized Leaders."
(l to r) Özge Hacıfazlıoğlu, Chuyan Yang, Jin Hyung Lim, Aukeem Ballard, Rebecca Cheung. (front) Mai Xi Lee.
"Entering academia as a middle-aged woman has been both rewarding and isolating at times. I have struggled with self-doubt, questioning both the quality of my research and the path I am forging, despite the unwavering support of my advisors and peers. As someone who is naturally reserved, large conferences can feel daunting. Yet I would offer this to others who may feel the same: when you present your work and witness the spark of curiosity and excitement in the eyes of your audience, you will feel a profound sense of belonging. AERA and NCME have helped me realize that we are never truly alone in our academic journeys. Every research endeavor, no matter how specialized or nuanced, contributes meaningfully to the collective pursuit of knowledge. In this particularly challenging year, I am especially grateful for the ways our academic communities have come together—to support one another, to uphold the spirit of inquiry, and to stand steadfast in our shared commitment to democracy."
Qing Cai, PhD Student, Social Research Methodology
Presenting paper: "The Impact of Institutional Resources on Articulation Agreements in Higher Education."
Presenting paper: "Exploring the human factors affecting AI acceptance in decision-making processes among administrators and faculty."
Presenting paper: "Evaluating the efficiency of AI-generated transfer plans"
Presenters at the session, "AI and Transfer Student Success: Learning From the Field." (l to r) Siddharth Adelkar, Yerin Kwak, Zachary A. Pardos, Sarah Goulart, Ritik Sinha, and Shreya Sheel.
Invited poster session: "Reclaiming Mam Language and Culture: Pedagogies and Literacies of Women’s Activism Across the Hemisphere."
Poster: "Heritage Language at Home and Reading Performance: Insights From PISA 2018 Across 12 Countries."
Poster: "The Impact of a Methods Course on PreService STEM Teachers’ Integration of Social Justice."
"AERA continues to be the most inspiring and enjoyable national conference. Attending various sessions was intellectually rewarding and sparked countless new research ideas. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the conference was reconnecting with old friends and forming new connections. Seeing so many BSE faculty, students, and alumni presenting their cutting-edge work made AERA feel like home. I felt incredibly proud to be part of BSE and even more committed to using my research to make a meaningful impact on the world."
Xueqin Lin, PhD Candidate, School Psychology
"Being surrounded by passionate educators sharing research for the betterment of various communities was highly inspiring. I felt true community from the aspiring educators I traveled with along with the amazing team guiding us. My biggest takeaway is that I am not alone in building my future — I belong to a community with a vested interest in my success. I felt loved, seen, and supported in a way that I have not experienced before. I have so much gratitude to Dr. Bristol for allowing us to recognize our own brilliance by pushing us into this exclusive space to discover for ourselves that our minds, presence and beings are valued and desired. I feel newfound peace with my presence and the promise of the future. I hold the cards to my own destiny, and have an exceptional deck to draw from."
Dahlia Blue, Undergraduate, 2nd year
"Attending AERA has been an unbelievably enriching and reaffirming experience. As each day of the conference passed, I realized more and more that there is so much to and in the field for me to be a part of and that I’m on the right path to do so. As I witnessed the tight-knit community built around the shared love of and dedication to education, I felt reaffirmed that what I want to do is important and valuable and that I am not alone. I will take what I’ve gained from this amazing opportunity to continue growing as an educator."
Rachel Liao, Undergraduate, 4th year
Professor Bristol (in red sweater) on stage with 18 other people, including 11 undergraduates; Berkeley graduate students; and fellow Berkeley faculty. They joined him on stage for a group photo to celebrate his award and lecture.
2024 Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award Lecture: “Mutual Constitution, Learning as Movement, and Developmental Ecologies.”
Professor Gutiérrez (center, back) with 30+ people who attended her lecture and celebrated with a standing ovation, hugs, and conversation afterward.
