Faculty and students from Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development joined scholars from around the world at the 2026 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, one of the largest gatherings of education researchers and practitioners.
The conference brought together scholars from a wide range of disciplines to share research, exchange ideas and discuss the issues shaping schools and communities today. Although education is the primary field of study for many AERA members, the association also represents scholars from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, statistics, sociology, history, economics, philosophy, anthropology and political science.
For Temple scholars, the meeting was an opportunity not only to present their work but also to connect with colleagues and contribute to ongoing conversations in the field. The interactions that take place during the days-long convening allow educators to exchange perspectives, reflect on their work and learn about new approaches that can inform both research and practice. For many scholars, these conversations are an important part of professional growth and advancing evidence-based work in education.
Several of the college’s faculty and students reflected on the experience of presenting their work and engaging with the broader research community.
Temple Faculty and Students
Jawaria Ashraf, a policy, organizational and leadership studies doctoral student, highlighted how opportunities beyond formal presentations shaped her experience. Through mentorship and cross-disciplinary engagement, she said she found new ways to think about her work and its place within the broader field.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was participating in a mentorship opportunity, where I connected with a mentor from Canada who continues to share valuable opportunities and guidance beyond the conference,” Ashraf said. “I also attended several sessions and fireside chats across divisions, which deepened my understanding of how interconnected education research is and reinforced the importance of contributing to this broader scholarly community.”
MG Hodge, an educational psychology doctoral student, reflected on how returning to AERA over multiple years has shaped her understanding of the field and its challenges.
“First, I attended a session focused on the challenges of publishing and securing grant funding. Senior scholars in my field spoke candidly about the many rejections and setbacks they have experienced throughout their careers, which served as an important reminder that these challenges are both common and rarely discussed openly. Equally meaningful was the opportunity to connect with other educational psychology graduate students. As I’ve become more involved in Special Interest Group (SIG) subcommittees, it was especially rewarding to see both the work and the community come together in person.”
Faculty echoed similar themes of connection and reflection, emphasizing how these interactions can shape both research and practice.
Associate Professor Tim Patterson reflected on how the conference created space for meaningful conversations that extended beyond individual projects.
“For me, AERA meant connecting with colleagues and friends from Temple and beyond over shared academic interests,” Patterson said. “These conversations pushed me to think more deeply about my current projects and how my research and the work of others can more effectively support Temple students.” Additionally, Professor Avi Kaplan offered a long-term perspective on the significance of the conference and the sense of scholarly community it fosters.
“This has been my 31st year of attending AERA,” Kaplan said. “The Motivation in Education Special Interest Group (SIG), the Complexity Theories in Education SIG and Division C have been my scholarly homes for many years. Attending AERA is always a meaningful experience of participating in a multigenerational community, an invigorating intellectual stimulation and an opportunity for meeting great and old friends.”
Across conversations and shared experiences, AERA continues to bring scholars together in meaningful ways. For Temple faculty and students, the conference is not only a place to showcase their work, but also a space to build community and return with more purpose in their research and practice.
Learn more about the topics that CEHD faculty, staff and students presented at the conference by viewing the CEHD Presentations at AERA 2026 listing on our website.