Awards

Since 2009, the AREA OST SIG presents awards at the annual AERA conference established to promote and support quality research in the field of Out-of-School Time. Recipients must demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their research; and conduct innovative, high quality research that contributes to the field of Out of School Time learning (i.e., pertaining to the culture, activities, practices, experiences, and outcomes of community-based education, youth work practice, and extracurricular programming).

Emerging Scholar Award - Commend and celebrate an individual’s contributions to the field of out-of-school time through their dissertation research. This award aligns with OST SIG’s mission of promoting and supporting quality research that impacts the field of out-of-school time and deepens our understanding of educational spaces outside of formal school settings. A doctoral student either currently writing their dissertation or who has recently defended their dissertation whose research focuses on teaching, learning, outcomes, experiences, and/or social dynamics within/related to educational contexts beyond the traditional school day/school curriculum.
Scholar Award - Honor an early or mid-career scholar (no more than 15 years after receipt of the doctoral degree) for outstanding research contributions to the out-of-school time field. We welcome self-nominations.
Senior Scholar Award - Honor a senior-level scholar who has made.a distinguished research contribution to out-of-school time education. To be eligible, senior-level scholars typically have 20 or more years of research experience since acquiring their doctorate. The Senior Scholar Award actively contributes to and celebrates the OST SIG mission of promoting and supporting quality research in the field of out-of-school time.