Welcome, fellow middle grades researchers, to the vibrant community of the Middle Level Education Research (MLER) SIG of the American Educational Research Association (AERA)!

The MLER SIG stands firm in its commitment to supporting your endeavors to elevate research that empowers and celebrates the rich diversity of young adolescents, the communities in which they live, the schools that support their growth, and the current and future educators who work with them every day. As young adolescents navigate a world filled with both challenges and opportunities, their needs remain paramount. Here at the MLER SIG, we recognize the profound impact a collaborative community of researchers can have in creating better in- and out-of-school experiences for young adolescents. Therefore, we strive to offer several ways for you to share your research, and expertise, and engage with colleagues:

• Dissemination of Research: Present your scholarship at AERA and AMLE (Association of Middle Level Education) annual conferences. Be the first to hear about upcoming calls for various middle level publications such as Middle School Journal, Middle Grades Review, MLER SIG’s Handbook of Research and Resources series, Research in Middle Level Education Online, Middle Grades Research Journal, and Current Issues in Middle Level Education.

• Collaboration: Connect with other researchers to forge partnerships that fuel innovative and impactful projects or participate in the MLER writing group.

• Mentorship: Benefit from our different mentoring programs for graduate students, early career faculty, or aspiring higher education administrators.

• Recognition: Submit your research or nominate a colleague for consideration for annual awards, acknowledging exceptional contributions to the field.

Please know that MLER SIG is more than a professional home. We strive to be a space where both research and researcher matters. It’s a space where you can engage in discourse and contribute to a collective effort to make a real difference in the lives of young adolescents and other members within our SIG community.  

I invite you to join us and participate in upcoming events, explore online resources, and collaborate with us to push the boundaries of middle level education research. Let's leverage the power of research to create a future where every middle grader flourishes in a nurturing and equitable learning environment.

To Join our SiG or to renew your membership please visit: https://www.aera.net/Membership

• Please add SIG #88 in the membership subscription page after you sign in to aera.net