The purpose of the Paulo Freire Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) is to honor Freire's legacy by promoting scholarship that applies, extends, critiques, and reinvents Freirean pedagogy. Also, to promote historical scholarship that looks at the life of Paulo Freire and the context of his ideas and practices. Finally, to act as a catalyst for the creation of new forms of critical pedagogies that build upon the foundation that Freire established.
Dear Paulo Freire SIG Members,
We hope this memo finds you well. This memo serves to inform you of what will be happening at AERA this year. However, before proceeding, it is worth critically reflecting on last year so as to figure out what needs to be improved or not at the SIG. Despite some minor challenges, we had a great year at AERA last year. The number of scholars presented through the Paulo Freire SIG met our expectations. In addition, many members of this SIG, including officers, had several great books released (more information about this can be found on the SIG website). This year promises to be as exciting, if not more so. We will have new elected dynamics officers who, we are confident, will take the SIG in a far better position nationally and internationally. Our keynote speaker for this year is prominent educator and sociologist Dr. Pedro Noguera. May we ask that you help us recruit people to become members of this great SIG so they can attend Noguera’s keynote and bear witness to other great activities that will take at this SIG this year? We humbly count on your support of this SIG, which carries the name of the greatest educator and scholar activist of the 20th century, Paulo Freire.
We look forward to seeing you all at AERA this year in Philadelphia.
In solidarity,
Dr. Pierre W. Orelus, Co-chair
Dr. Curry S. Malott, Co-chair