AERA Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop

Call for Applications
Deadline February 20, 2009

2009 AERA Annual Meeting, San Diego
Monday, April 13 - Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The American Educational Research Association invites fellowship applications for an Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop to be held at the 2009 Annual Meeting in San Diego. This workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues. Applicants are sought who have potential and interest in pursuing careers as education researchers, faculty members, or other professionals who contribute to the research field.

The workshop, led by junior and senior scholars, will give fellows an overview of how education research is designed across fields, how quantitative and qualitative research methods are used in studies, and how research is applied to education policy and practice. Senior researchers and faculty from both academic institutions and applied research organizations (i.e., ACT, the American Institutes for Research, Educational Testing Service, the College Board, and the Urban Institute) will introduce education research as a field and share their area of expertise and knowledge with the fellows. Workshop activities will also focus on exploring graduate education, applying to graduate school, and beginning a career in education research.

Fellows will be paired with a faculty member and a graduate student who will serve as program mentors. In addition to attending the workshop, fellows will attend preselected paper sessions and presentations during the AERA Annual Meeting.

Dates: Monday, April 13 - Wednesday, April 15, AERA 2009 Annual Meeting, San Diego

Award: Fellows will participate in the Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop during the AERA 2009 Annual Meeting in San Diego. They will also have the benefit of a distinguished mentor as part of the award. The award includes conference registration and two nights of lodging. The fellows and/or their home institutions are responsible for transportation costs to San Diego.

Eligibility: Candidates may come from a broad range of fields across the arts and sciences. Underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be

• Students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college in good academic standing.
• Interested in pursuing a graduate or professional degree that can lend itself to education research areas such as children and youth, school and schooling issues, higher education, education policy, student achievement, curriculum and instruction, education psychology, or education leadership.
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Application Requirements:

• Complete on-line application at www.aera.net
• Official college transcript from current institution.
• Letter of recommendation and evaluation form from a faculty member who is familiar with your academic ability and potential.
• Resume which includes any educational background, training, jobs, activities, honors, and other academic achievements. Include information on any research experiences you may have had.
• Personal Statement
  In one statement of no more than 500 words (double spaced) the applicant should address the following:
  1. How are your course work, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, work experiences, and/or other academic and life experiences preparing you to pursue a graduate or professional degree?
  2. What are your education research interests and what are you doing to help further develop these interests and enhance your research and writing skills?

Applications: AERA will accept applications via the online application system www.aera.net . Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of senior scholars and researchers. All materials must be received by 11:59pm on February 20, 2009. Official transcripts and letter of recommendation and evaluation form must be mailed to:

AERA Fellowships Office
1430 K St. NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005

About AERA: AERA, founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA shares the products of scholarly research with peers, future educational researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the public through its annual meeting, publications, and professional development activities.

Direct all questions to George Wimberly, Director of Social Justice and Professional Development, at 202-238-3200 or fellowships@aera.net.