Tracing the Contours of Having an “Impact”: Reflections From Learning Sciences Faculty

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This proposed symposium brings together a panel of learning scientists to discuss how we think about impact in our research. Though working in the same broad field of education research, our approaches to designing research that is impactful diverge due to differences in epistemologies, methodologies, and disciplinary foci. On this panel, we will discuss who we hope to impact with our research, how we design for impact, and various ways we think about temporal dimensions of impact in our work. The AERA 2025 theme centers the pursuit of remedy and repair as outcomes of our research. Our considerations of impact (or outcomes) with our research will compliment the conference theme. [110]

Sub Unit

• SIG-Learning Sciences

Chair

• Christa Haverly, Northwestern University

Papers

• The Journey from Design-Based Research to Partnerships Changing Practice in Science Classrooms - Brian J. Reiser, Northwestern University

• Understanding the lived textures and temporalities of impact within justice-oriented research on learning - Shirin Vossoughi, Northwestern University

• The surprising path to significant impact in schools for one alternative learning environment - Reed Stevens, Northwestern University

• Impact Craters and Generative Partnerships - Michael S. Horn, Northwestern University

Discussant

• Christa Haverly, Northwestern University