Laurence Parker receives AERA Lifetime Achievement Award

Laurence Parker, outgoing chair and professor of Educational Leadership & Policy in the College of Education, has been honored with the Division G: Social Context of Education Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA). This recognition celebrates his decades of contributions to the field, to student mentorship, and to educational research, particularly through the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT).

Parker's relationship with AERA began in 1984 when he attended his first conference in Chicago as a student. "I wanted to see scholars give talks and really get immersed in research findings," Parker recalls. "I knew this was an organization I had to connect to if I was going to stay in academia." And stay connected, he did!

Parker's first formal paper presentation at AERA came in 1988 in New Orleans, an experience he describes as nerve-wracking but formative. Throughout his career, Parker has served in many capacities and roles across AERA, including as editor of the Review of Research in Education, AERA's annual journal. In 2007, he published a piece examining affirmative action from a CRT perspective, which led to an invitation to edit two significant issues of the journal.

In 2021, Parker was named an AERA Fellow, just as Distinguished Professor of Education, Culture & Society William A. Smith was named an AERA Fellow in 2025. Just a few short years later, Parker’s contributions are being further recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor comes as this year's AERA conference theme focuses on "Research, Remedy and Repair: Toward Just Education Renewal," which resonates with the central aspects of Parker's life's work.

"I see the theme of remedy discussed through research as very much tied in work I've done over years, particularly in that this awarding division is entitled ‘social context of education,’ and that's what I've focused on throughout my career," Parker explains. When he is teaching, Parker says of his approach to CRT that "it is not about blame, it's about context…it's about providing the lens to understand it and deal with it squarely, not run away from it or pretend that it does not exist anymore. It's about squarely facing it, squarely dealing with it in order to come to a better place."

While reflecting on the significance of this lifetime achievement award, Parker explains that his greatest satisfaction comes from mentoring others. "I truly value the relationships that I've had with colleagues, friends, and former students who have all played a role in helping me be who I am. Hopefully I've helped them become who they are, as well."

Parker shares advice given to him by one of his own mentors Bill Trent, who often said: "Larry, you always know you've done your job as a faculty member when students go on to do better things than you." This philosophy has guided Parker's approach to mentorship, leading him to support countless students who have gone on to distinguished careers—some alongside him in the departmental of Educational Leadership & Policy, such as Associate Professor Erin Castro. As an early advocate for the Research Focus on Black Education within AERA, Parker has witnessed the organization's evolution. He takes pride in seeing increased representation of African American scholars in leadership positions, including current president Janelle Scott.

Parker credits other mentors, particularly Jim Anderson, whom he describes as "a force of nature when it comes to presence in AERA," for guiding him through the ins and outs of the organization.

Through his scholarship and his dedication to mentoring the next generation, Professor Parker has created an enduring legacy in the field of education research—one that rightfully earns him the distinction of the Division G Lifetime Achievement Award!