Professional Roles
AERA (1982-Present)
Founded in 1916, 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. AERA's more than 25,000 members are faculty, researchers, graduate students, and other distinguished professionals with rich and diverse expertise in education research. They work in a range of settings from universities and other academic institutions to research institutes, federal and state agencies, school systems, testing companies, and nonprofit organizations. Based on their research, they produce and disseminate knowledge, refine methods and measures, and stimulate translation and practical application of research results. International in scope, AERA has members from 85 different countries. The organization also has more than 6500 graduate student members.
Dr. Cochran-Smith has been an active member of AERA for more than 30 years and involved in the leadership of AERA for many of those years. Dr. Cochran-Smith was AERA President in 2004-2005 when her theme for the organization’s annual meeting was “Demography and Democracy in the Era of Accountability.” She also served as Vice President of AERA for Division K (Teaching and Teacher Education), 1998-2000, and as Chair of the AERA’s Publications Committee, 2000-2003. From 2000-2005, she was Co-Chair of AERA’s Panel on Research and Teacher Education, which resulted in the volume, Studying Teacher Education (Cochran-Smith & Zeichner, 2005). Dr. Cochran-Smith has organized many Presidential and other sessions at AERA over the years, many of which have included LSOE doctoral students as participants and co-presenters. In 2016, AERA’s centennial year, she was co-editor of a special issue of the organization’s journal, Educational Researcher, which included essays by 12 of AERA’s past presidents, including Cochran-Smith, which traced some of the history of AERA’s attention to key issues.
Dr. Cochran-Smith has been an active member of AERA for more than 30 years and involved in the leadership of AERA for many of those years. Dr. Cochran-Smith was AERA President in 2004-2005 when her theme for the organization’s annual meeting was “Demography and Democracy in the Era of Accountability.” She also served as Vice President of AERA for Division K (Teaching and Teacher Education), 1998-2000, and as Chair of the AERA’s Publications Committee, 2000-2003. From 2000-2005, she was Co-Chair of AERA’s Panel on Research and Teacher Education, which resulted in the volume, Studying Teacher Education (Cochran-Smith & Zeichner, 2005). Dr. Cochran-Smith has organized many Presidential and other sessions at AERA over the years, many of which have included LSOE doctoral students as participants and co-presenters. In 2016, AERA’s centennial year, she was co-editor of a special issue of the organization’s journal, Educational Researcher, which included essays by 12 of AERA’s past presidents, including Cochran-Smith, which traced some of the history of AERA’s attention to key issues.
NAEd (2009-Present)
The National Academy of Education (NAEd) advances high quality education research and its use in policy formation and practice. Founded in 1965, the Academy consists of U.S. members and foreign associates who are elected on the basis of outstanding scholarship related to education. Since its establishment, the Academy has undertaken research studies that address pressing issues in education, which are typically conducted by members and other scholars with relevant expertise. In addition, the Academy sponsors professional development fellowship programs that contribute to the preparation of the next generation of scholars. Dr. Cochran-Smith was elected to the NAEd in 2009. From 2011-2015, she served as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee, which oversees the Academy’s two major fellowships programs, the NAEd/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships and the NAEd/Spencer Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowships. She was also the Chair of the Fellowship Retreat Planning Committee. Dr. Cochran-Smith served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2016-2021. Currently, Dr. Cochran-Smith is a member of the Research Advisory Committee.
Kappa Delta Pi (2010-2015)
Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education, was founded in 1911 to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. For over a century, the Society has consistently grown, starting with a local chapter to become the international organization it is today, with an initiated membership that exceeds 1.2 million. The Honorary Laureate Chapter was established in February 1924 to honor men and women who had made outstanding contributions to the development of professional education. John Dewey was the first nominee. Since 1924, more than 250 eminent educators have been named to Kappa Delta Pi’s Laureate Chapter. Albert Einstein, Margaret Mead, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jean Piaget, and George Washington Carver were all notable Laureates. Membership is limited to 60 living scholars. Dr. Cochran-Smith was elected to the Laureate Chapter in 2003. From 2010 to 2015, she has served as Laureate Representative to the KDP Board or on the Laureate Advisory Committee.
