American Educational Research Association

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the primary professional organization for educational psychologists. Founded in 1916, it is concerned primarily with encouraging and promoting scholarly work, including research and writing, that is associated with the educational process. Another important role that AERA plays is the dissemination of information related to its mission.

The 25,000 members of the organization are a collection of scholars and practitioners from diverse fields, well represented by the 12 divisions that the organization hosts (see the following box for the names of these divisions).

Each of these divisions (and members often belong to more than one) carries on its own activities, including the election of officers, the publication of a newsletter, the granting of awards for outstanding research by graduate students as ...