May 2012

Vanessa Siddle Walker has been chosen by a committee of AERA leaders to present the 2012 Brown Lecture in Education Research. The lecture will be presented on October 25 in Washington, DC.

As an education historian who is a scholar of segregation and social equality, Siddle Walker has explored the effects of historical and cultural influences on the teaching and learning of African American children. Siddle Walker is the Samuel Dobbs Professor of Educational Studies at Emory University.

Siddle Walker has published widely on the experiences of African American school children and their teachers in the segregated South. She has been highly honored with recognitions of her scholarship that include the Grawmeyer Award for Education and AERA’s Early Career award.

The Brown Lecture was inaugurated by AERA in 2004 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, in which the U.S. Supreme Court took scientific research into account in issuing its landmark ruling. Each year a distinguished scholar notable for producing significant research related to equality in education is invited to give this public lecture. The lecture is intended to illuminate the important role of research in advancing the understanding of equality and equity in education. 

The Brown Lecture Selection Committee included AERA 2011-2012 president Arnetha F. Ball, 2011-2012 president-elect William G. Tierney, executive director Felice J. Levine, director of social justice George L. Wimberly, Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) chair Richard P. Duran, and two additional SJAC members, Dolores Delgado Bernal and Thandeka K. Chapman.

Persons interested in attending the 2012 lecture should write to [email protected]