Crafting Your Truth: Developing Your Voice Within Academic Spaces

Session Type: Pre-Conference Mentoring Session

Abstract

Interrogating consequential educational research begins with engaging in self-reflection as individual scholars. In this half-day workshop session, scholars in any phase of their journey will have the opportunity to look within and examine their personal role in “the pursuit of truth.” Participants will be encouraged to reflect upon their position of privilege as academics, and the role they can play in perpetuating or deconstructing hegemonic systems, amplifying or silencing the voices of those historically relegated to the margins, and interrogating who defines “truth.” Attendees will additionally have space to reflect on their researcher identity, and the way this can influence the lens through which they consume and produce academic research within educational spaces. First, a panel of established scholars will discuss their processes for crafting a researcher identity and a line of inquiry, unpacking topics like constructing a positionality and interrogating one’s beliefs about epistemology (ways of knowing). The subsequent breakout sessions will allow participants to engage with mentors and learn techniques to communicate their researcher identity as they embark on their careers.

The Division G Mentoring Pre-Conference Program is built toward the goals of providing mentoring, professional development, connections, and a supportive community to graduate students whose scholarship and practices are rooted in critical perspectives and social justice. In this space, we want participants to experience a genuine conversation or connection with colleagues and community partners in the hopes of sustained relationships and guidance for justice-oriented community-based research. Additionally, we strive to build a community in which participants can be heard and validated, ask the questions they may be apprehensive to ask and receive honest and thoughtful responses.

Toward these ends, the theme of this year’s Division G Graduate Student Pre-Conference Workshop Session, Crafting YOUR Truth: Developing Your Voice within Academic Spaces invites participants to reflect upon their position of privilege as academics, and the role they can play in perpetuating or deconstructing hegemonic systems, amplifying or silencing the voices of those historically relegated to the margins, and interrogating who defines “truth.” Attendees will additionally have space to reflect on their researcher identity, and the way this can influence the lens through which they consume and produce academic research within educational spaces.

Through bringing together a variety of scholars at different stages in their scholarly journey, the day will be structured for deep and engaged exploration of these topics in large and small groups.

In light of AERA offering an opportunity for us to gather in person again, we will structure our program to be a half day, beginning with a keynote panel. The panel will feature faculty members and researchers at different stages in their careers. Subsequently, there will be mentoring breakout sessions with faculty members and researchers, where participants can ask questions and engage in conversation. Finally, participants will come together in small talking circles to reflect on their learning and ask any lingering questions. At each stage, the planning committee and scholar and community mentors will consider how to create engaging and hands-on learning, make space for questions, and provide concrete, tangible resources graduate student participants can take with them.

Sub Unit

• Division G - Social Context of Education

Chairs

• Abbie Cohen, University of California - Los Angeles

• Jenna Gabriel, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Hannah M. Edber, Mercer University

• Turea Michelle Hutson, Drexel University

• Kenesma John, University of Florida

• Amira S. Nash, University of Iowa

• Meghan Zarnetske, University of Utah

• Luimil Negrón, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Allyson A. Pitzel, Kent State University

• Adriana Ybarra, University of Missouri

Instructors

• Taryrn T.C. Brown, University of Florida

• Venus E. Evans-Winters, The Ohio State University

• Terrell R Morton, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Angie Zapata, University of Missouri

Officers

• Katherine S. Cho, Loyola University Chicago

• Chonika Coleman-King, University of Florida

• Justin A. Coles, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Venus E. Evans-Winters, The Ohio State University

Panelists

• Chonika Coleman-King, University of Florida

• Mark R. Warren, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Subini Ancy Annamma, Stanford University

• Courtnie N. Wolfgang, Rhode Island School of Design

• Saba Khan Vlach, University of Iowa