The Professional Development School Research Special Interest Group (PDS Research SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) is dedicated to advancing research and scholarship within Professional Development School (PDS) settings. As key Sig Partners in educational advancement, we are proud to announce and encourage applications for our prestigious awards designed to support and recognize outstanding contributions in PDS research. We offer two distinct awards: the Dissertation Scholar Award and the Claudia A. Balach Teacher Researcher Award, each aimed at different career stages and research focuses within the PDS framework.
Professional Development School (PDS) Research Dissertation Scholar Award
This award is specifically designed to foster emerging scholars in the field of PDS research. It aims to encourage doctoral students to delve into critical issues within P-12 educational environments, focusing on practical problems, professional development innovations, and student outcomes specifically within PDS contexts. By offering this award, the PDS Research SIG seeks to nurture the next generation of researchers who are passionate about the PDS model and its impact.
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Dissertation Scholar Award is to stimulate and support dissertation research that investigates significant challenges and opportunities within Professional Development Schools. It aims to provide doctoral candidates who are deeply engaged in PDS-related research with recognition and a platform to share their findings with the broader PDS research community, comprised of valuable sig partners in education research. The award winner gains valuable exposure and networking opportunities within the AERA PDS Research SIG.
Who May Apply?
Eligibility is open to doctoral students who are actively involved in dissertation research centered on PDS-related topics. Applicants must demonstrate continuous involvement in their PDS research project, from its initial conception through to the presentation of their findings. To be eligible for consideration at the annual conference, applicants should not be more than one year past their doctoral degree conferral date. Crucially, applicants who are still completing their doctoral studies are also encouraged to apply, provided they have completed the data collection and analysis phases of their dissertation, with concrete results ready to be shared. Successful applicants are expected to attend the AERA Annual Meeting to accept the award and present their research during the PDS Research SIG business meeting. Furthermore, if their proposal is accepted for presentation at the AERA Annual Meeting, they will have an additional, separately scheduled session to present to the wider SIG membership and sig partners. Applicants must hold a current membership with the PDS Research SIG.
Selection Criteria:
Applications will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:
- Contribution to Scholarship: The application must clearly articulate the research’s potential to significantly contribute to the existing body of knowledge surrounding Professional Development Schools.
- PDS Setting Focus: The research must be firmly situated within a PDS environment and can be at any stage of development, from initial stages to completed projects.
- Sustained Research Program Potential: The application should demonstrate the applicant’s potential to build a sustained and impactful program of research and inquiry focused on PDS initiatives in the long term, becoming a valuable sig partner in the field.
The PDS Research SIG Awards Committee will conduct a thorough review of all applications.
Application:
To apply for the Professional Development School Research Dissertation Scholar Award, applicants are required to submit a detailed research description that comprehensively addresses the three selection criteria outlined above. The application narrative is limited to a maximum of 2000 words. The submission must include the applicant’s full name, institutional affiliation, and complete contact information. Additionally, a letter of support from the applicant’s dissertation advisor or committee chair, along with the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (CV), must be included.
Deadline:
All application materials must be received by January 7, 2025. Electronic submissions should be sent to Jori Beck at [email protected].
Claudia A. Balach Teacher Researcher Award
The Claudia A. Balach Teacher Researcher Award celebrates collaborative research endeavors within P-12 schools. This award recognizes the power of partnerships between P-12 educators and administrators and their counterparts in colleges and universities. It aims to promote research that tackles pressing issues in practice, professional development, and student outcomes through collaborative inquiry, strengthening ties between various sig partners in education. This award supports P-12 researchers and provides a platform to share their work with the AERA PDS Research SIG community.
Purpose:
This award’s purpose is to encourage and support collaborative research projects that are jointly conducted by P-12 school faculty and administrators and college/university faculty and administrators. The research should focus on addressing significant challenges related to educational practices, professional development strategies, and student outcomes. It aims to recognize P-12 researchers and offer them an opportunity to engage with the AERA PDS Research SIG community and potentially present their research findings at the AERA Annual Meeting, fostering collaboration among key sig partners.
Who May Apply?
P-12 teachers and administrators are eligible to apply for this award in collaboration with their college or university colleagues. The P-12 applicant(s) must have been involved in the research project from its inception to the point of presenting the findings. If the collaborative research project is selected for the award, it is required that at least one member of the research team attend the next AERA Annual Meeting and the PDS Research SIG Business Meeting to officially receive the award. While not mandatory, all other members of the research project are also encouraged to attend. Crucially, at least one member of the collaborative research team must be a current member of the AERA PDS Research SIG, ensuring active participation within our network of sig partners.
Selection Criteria:
Successful applications will clearly demonstrate the following:
- Significant Collaboration: The application must highlight the substantial contributions made by both P-12 and college/university collaborators throughout the research process, emphasizing the strength of these sig partners.
- Impact on Education: The research must investigate issues that have a direct impact on student outcomes and/or teacher professional development, addressing critical areas for improvement within PDS settings.
- Teacher Research Focus: The application should demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the concept of teachers as researchers, valuing their insights and contributions to the field, recognizing teachers as vital sig partners in educational research.
All applications will undergo review by the PDS Research SIG Awards Committee.
Application:
To apply for the Claudia A. Balach Teacher Researcher Award, applicants should complete the provided application form and submit a research description that explicitly addresses the three selection criteria listed above. Similar to the Dissertation Scholar Award, the research narrative should not exceed 2000 words. The application must include the names, institutional affiliations, and contact information for all researchers and authors involved in the collaborative project.
Deadline:
The deadline for application submissions is January 7, 2025.
Electronic submissions should be directed to Jori Beck at [email protected].
Important Note Regarding AERA Annual Meeting Submissions
Please be aware that applying for these awards is a separate process from the standard AERA proposal submission for the Annual Meeting. If applicants wish to present their research studies at the AERA Annual Meeting in addition to being considered for these awards, they must submit proposals for their studies through the regular online AERA submissions portal, adhering to the published AERA guidelines and the Annual Meeting submission deadline. These awards are specific recognitions from the PDS Research SIG and do not automatically include presentation slots at the main AERA conference; separate submission through the AERA portal is required for conference presentation consideration, independent of our sig partners awards.
