EDRE Lecture Series
The University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform is pleased to announce these events as part of our 2026-2027 Lecture Series. All lectures will be held on Fridays from noon - 1:30 p.m. in GRAD 343, unless otherwise noted below.
The program is open to the public and includes a complimentary lunch catered by the Flying Burrito. Please arrive a few minutes early to make a plate from the taco bar before the lecture begins.
While speakers listed are confirmed, details on their presentations may be delayed; please check back. Direct questions to Miranda Vernon.
Fall 2026 Lecture Series
Aug. 28: Scott Cunningham
Visiting Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University
Ben H. Williams Professor of Economics, Baylor University
Lecture Title: TBA
Suggested Readings:
- TBA
Sept. 11: Emily Penner
Associate Professor of Education, University of California, Irvine
Lecture Title: "The Impact of Cultural Relevance at Scale"
Suggested Readings:
- Bisht, B., Bonilla, S., Kim, G., & Penner, E. K. (2026). Cultural Relevance at Scale: The Effects of an Ethnic Studies Expansion on Academic Outcomes. American Educational Research Journal, 63(3), 471-513.
Oct. 2: Vladimir Kogan
Professor & Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Political Science, Ohio State University
Lecture to start at 12:15 p.m.
Lecture Title: "The 'Gerrymandering' of K-12 Education"
Suggested Readings:
- N/A
Oct. 16: Tuan Nguyen
Associate Professor of Education Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Missouri
Lecture Title: "Teacher Shortages: What We Know and What We Can Do"
Suggested Readings:
- Nguyen, T. D. & Redding, C. (2026). Ending Teacher Shortages. Johns Hopkins University Press. https://doi.org/10.56021/9781421455419
Spring 2026 Lecture Series
Jan. 29: Philip Oreopoulos
Professor of Economics and Public Policy, University of Toronto
Lecture Title: TBA
Suggested Readings:
- TBA
Feb. 5: Melissa Lyon
Assistant Professor of Public Policy, University at Albany, SUNY
Lecture Title: "Property Tax Salience and Public Good Investment: Evidence from School Bond Elections"
Suggested Readings:
- Heller, Blake H., and Melissa Arnold Lyon. (2026). Property Tax Salience and Public Good Investment: Evidence from School Bond Elections. (EdWorkingPaper: 26-1500). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/e3sf-0h64
Feb. 26: Tyler Watts
Associate Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
Lecture Title: TBA
Suggested Readings:
- TBA
Apr. 2: Jonathan Zimmerman
Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education, Professor of History of Education, Johns Hopkins University
Lecture Title: TBA
Suggested Readings:
- TBA
Apr. 9: Rebecca Sibilia
Executive Director, EdFund
Lecture Title: TBA
Suggested Readings:
- TBA
