Faculty, graduate students and alumni from the Michigan State University College of Education are actively contributing to the 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. Many are sharing their latest research and being honored for their outstanding achievements. The conference is taking place in Denver, Colorado.
Faculty recognition
Professor and internationally recognized scholar Kristen Renn was named an American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow in March 2025. The honor recognizes scholars for their “exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research,” said AERA in a news release. She joins a group of 29 scholars recognized with the distinction this year.
“Kristen Renn’s dedication to higher education research embodies the very best of the Spartan spirit,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor of Education. “Her work has shaped the field, empowered countless students and scholars and driven meaningful change. Being named an AERA Fellow is a well-earned recognition of her impact, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with her.”
Renn is also a recipient of the Exemplary Research Award from AERA Division J.
Kylie Gorney, an assistant professor of Measurement and Quantitative Methods in the college’s Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education received the Outstanding Dissertation Award from AERA’s Division D. Gorney’s primary research interests include test security, item response theory and computerized adaptive testing. Her work has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Applied Psychological Measurement, British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, and Journal of Educational Measurement.
Professor Anne-Lise Halvorsen is a recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award from AERA’s Social Studies Research Special Interest Group (SIG). She is a professor of teacher education specializing in social studies education. Her scholarship focuses on curriculum reform in social studies education, specifically exploring project-based learning, culturally sustaining pedagogy, historical inquiry and discussion. She is particularly interested in developing and field-testing innovative and justice-oriented social studies curricula.
Faculty presentations
Spartan scholars are leading and moderating timely conversations and presenting cutting-edge research throughout the AERA 2025 Annual Meeting. Highlights include:
AI and Educational Justice: A Critical Conversation
Wednesday, April 23, 2:30–4:00 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level – Mile High Ballroom 1AB
Presenters: Professor Aman Yadav and Professor Danny CaballeroPolitical Polarization and Partisanship: How Social Studies Can Help Remedy Societal Divisions
Friday, April 25, 1:30–3:00 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level – Mile High Ballroom 1CD
Presenter: Associate Professor Jane C. Lo25 Years of Community Schooling: What Have We Learned and What’s Next?
Wednesday, April 23, 10:50 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level – Mile High Ballroom 1AB
Presenter: Professor Patricia EdwardsBlack Deans and Scholars: An Interactive Panel on Research and Practice for Doctoral Education
Thursday, April 24, 9:50–11:20 a.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level – Mile High Ballroom 1AB
Moderator: Dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor of Education Jerlando F. L. JacksonThe 28th Conversations with Senior Scholars on Advancing Research and Professional Development Related to Black Education
Friday, April 25, 1:30–3:00 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Terrace Level – Bluebird Ballroom Room 1B
Presenter: Dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor of Education Jerlando F. L. JacksonFostering Wellness for Women of Color in Higher Education: Research on Trauma and Repair
Friday, April 25, 3:20–4:50 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level – Mile High Ballroom 1AB
Chair: Associate Professor Raven L. Jones | Discussant: Professor Dorinda Carter Andrews | Moderator: Geneva Smitherman
Alum recognition
Daman Chhikara, a 2023 graduate of the Education Policy Ph.D. program, has been named Co-Winner of the Dissertation of the Year Award by AERA’s Law and Social Justice (LSJ) Special Interest Group. His dissertation, “The Impacts of Student-Teacher Relationships and Race-Match Moderation on Absenteeism: A Four Wave Longitudinal Data Study,” was recognized for its powerful contributions to equity-focused education research.
Editor’s note: Awards are current as of publication. Additional honors received by Spartan scholars will be added as they are announced.