Cynthia Lewis, Central California Writing Project Co-PI and UCSC Professor Emeritus, has been selected as an American Educational Research Association Fellow. The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is a national research society that, “strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.” The purpose of the AERA Fellows Program is to honor exceptional achievements in education research. Nominations are made by peers, followed by an evaluation and recommendation by the Fellows Committee, and final approval by the AERA Council. AERA Director, Felice J. Levine noted that “AERA Fellows’ significant contributions to the education research field demonstrate the highest standards of academic excellence and scholarship.
Cynthia’s work has always been driven by a belief in the transformative power of critical literacy and classroom discourse to challenge inequities and expand opportunities for all learners. Lewis’ work examines the sociocultural dimensions of learning in and out of school. Her research examines how identity, agency, and power shape learning experiences, particularly in relation to educational equity, access, and opportunities to learn. She employs critical discourse analysis and classroom ethnography to analyze micro-level interactions in educational settings, revealing how inequities are both produced and challenged through classroom discourse. Throughout her career, Lewis has been recognized for her leadership, teaching, mentorship, and scholarship. She has served on the editorial advisory boards of leading literacy research journals and has held leadership roles in professional organizations. Her numerous accolades include the AERA Division G Mentoring Award and the Edward B. Fry Book Award, which she has received twice for her scholarly contributions. Cynthia will be inducted during a ceremony at the 2025 annual meeting in Denver on April 24.
Congratulations Cynthia.