Topic Based SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
The following CIES SIGs represent topics of study.
The African Diaspora SIG (AD SIG) seeks to foster a community of scholars and practitioners to engage with the historical contexts and contemporary educational experiences of Black communities across the globe. A broader analysis of the educational realities of African descendants within and outside the United States offers the opportunity to review similar and different challenges, lessons, and new possibilities.
AD SIGs email: [email protected]
- Jasmine Blanks Jones, Johns Hopkins University (Chair)
- Krystal Strong, Rutgers University (Chair-Elect)
- Noella Binda Niati, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany (Communications Chair)
- Mame Ndiaye, Cornell University, Ithaka (Communications and Publications)
- Ashley Watson, University of Minnesota (Membership Outreach & Engagement Chair)
- Giselle Thompson, University of Alberta, Canada (Newsletter Editor)
- Rhonesha L. Blaché, Teachers College, Columbia University (Historian)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Citizenship and Democratic Education SIG
The Citizenship and Democratic Education SIG (CANDE SIG) seeks to create an active community of educators and researchers to share their views and encourage productive debate on various aspects of citizenship and democratic education, in the United States and around the world. We welcome scholars, education practitioners, and policymakers who are interested in citizenship and democratic education.
- Heidi Faning, Purdue University (Interim Chair) ([email protected])
- Janaina Maudonnet, Co-Chair, 2023-2025
- Noa Ovadio, Co-Chair, 2023-2025
- Tami Castillo, George Mason University, Unit Planner, 2023-2035
- Jorge Enrique Delgado. CIES-OED/University of Pittsburgh. (Interim Program Chair/Unit Planner)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Contemplative Inquiry and Holistic Education SIG
The Contemplative Inquiry and Holistic Education SIG (CIHE SIG) is concerned with the development and integration of learners’ mind, body, and spirit through holistic means. Like teaching, learning is a holistic endeavor that is most powerful when multiple aspects of the human being – cognitive, emotional, intuitive, physical, social, spiritual, and ethical – work together. The CIHE SIG’s aims relate to:
- Exploring and demonstrating the value of holistic education in settings around the world;
- Examining pedagogies for inner growth and development through a combination of right-brained and left-brained approaches, such as meditation, qigong, tai chi, yoga, movement, music, dance, storytelling, the visual arts, and reflective writing (e.g., diaries, journals, essays, and poetry), instead of just the left-brained, standardized-testing approach;
- Studying the use of creative and multidisciplinary forms of holistic education that encourage learners to become engaged in society;
- Comparing educational systems in different parts of the world in terms of how well and how often they engage learners in holistic learning;
- Determining the factors that contribute to success in holistic education in an international perspective;
- Identifying the key aspects in conducting research related to holistic education; and
- Learning about the many ways (e.g., autobiographical narratives, poetry, artistic expression, and meditation-based processes) contemplative inquiry can contribute to such research in areas around the world.
The SIG’s focus is central to an understanding of the inner self, and the contemplative research methodologies it promotes are necessary for comparative and international education.
Email [email protected]
- Yishin Khoo. University of Windsor, Canada (Co-Chair, Program Chair/Unit Planner, 2021-2024)
- Sachi Edwards. Soka University, Japan (Co-Chair, Program Chair/Unit Planner 2022-2024).
- Denise McHugh. University of Maryland (Secretary/Treasurer 2023-2024).
- Yifan Sun. Rudolf Steiner University College, Norway (Newsletter).
- Sarah Fuller. UNICEF, Italy (Newsletter).
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Cultural Contexts of Education and Human Potential SIG
The Cultural Contexts of Education and Human Potential SIG (CCEHP SIG) aims to make the case for the necessity of including the voices of individuals often unheard and to promote better understanding and learning between and about different groups. Moreover, it is also intended to demonstrate how the underutilization of the voices of different cultures has led to the underutilization of their potential.
CCEHP SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Jonathan Damiani, Le Moyne University (Co-Chair and Unit Planner 2021-2024) ([email protected])
- Xiaoqiao Zhang, Shanghai Jiaotong University, P. R. China (Co-Chair and Media Chair, 2021-2024) [email protected]
- Peter Ghazarian, Ashland University, (Secretary/Treasurer & Program Chair 2022-2024)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Early Childhood Development SIG
The Early Childhood Development SIG (ECD SIG) seeks to foster exchange & strengthen linkages between ECD research and practice; help keep members abreast of new developments in the field; build linkages among various ECD networks nationally and internationally; prepare ECD thematic sessions at the next CIES conference.
- Jyotsna Pattnaik, California State University-Long Beach (Co-chair 2021-2024) ([email protected])
- Mathias Urban, Dublin City University, Ireland, (Co-Chair 2022-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Economics and Finance of Education SIG
The Economics and Finance of Education SIG (EFE-SIG) focuses on investigating, conceptualizing, and theorizing the links between Economics and Finance of Education Policies. The EFE-SIG offers a new opportunity for scholars interested in topics such as: Redistribution, political philosophy, economics, and financing schooling systems; International aid and mechanisms of redistribution; Education finance, economics, and poverty reduction; Financing education and theories of justice; Theories of learning, knowledge and knowledge economics; School finance, adequacy, and equity in resource allocation; Equality of Educational Opportunity and its effect on society; Teachers’ effectiveness, incentives and rewards; Charter schools and school based management; Higher education finance and learning networks; Early childhood finance; Special education finance; State competitiveness, social cohesiveness and mechanisms of reallocation.
The EFE-SIG is important as it suggests a unique perspective. We aim to contribute to the perception of Economics and Finance of Education as a global issue and not just a national issue. In addition, we highlight the importance of the EFE-SIG, as currently Education Finance issues are rarely addressed from the perspective of Comparative Education.
- Iris Ben David-Hadar, Bar Ilan University, Israel Co-Chair (Program Chair/Web-media, 2020-2023) ([email protected])
- Zehorit Dadon Golan, Hemdat College of Education, and Bar Ilan University, Israel (Program Chair, 2022-2024)
- Roy Wolf, Bar Ilan University, Israel (Secretary 2022-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Education, Conflict, and Emergencies SIG
The SIG on Education, Conflict, and Emergencies brings together CIES members around a broad range of research and programmatic activities including education during armed conflict and natural disasters; educational reconstruction post-conflict and post-disaster; and the relationships between educational provision and peace-building, transitional justice, and resilience across conflict-affected, post-conflict, and fragile states.
- Christiana Kallon Kelly, University of Pennsylvania (Co-chair, Program Chair 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Emily Dunlop, New York University (Secretary, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Myuri Komaragiri, University of Toronto (Secretary 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Sheena Harris, University of Minnesota (Program Chair-Unit Planner) ([email protected])
- Masuma Moravej, Lehigh University (Awards Coordinator) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Educational Improvement Special Interest Group (EI SIG) is a systematic and timely response by CIES members to the merging, interdisciplinary field of Educational Improvement Science (or Studies) (EIS) since the turn of the 21st century.
The new EI SIG aims to bring together academics, policy actors and other professionals in the field of comparative and international education who are interested in improvemental studies, with the following missions: (a) initiating and demonstrating the value of educational improvement in international settings; (b) examining innovative pedagogies for educational improvement through interdisciplinary, multiperspectival approaches of inquiry; (c) pioneering and applying such pedagogies that weapon practitioners to become professional improvers for learning, teaching and/or education; (d) exploring and expanding methodologies for the studies of educational improvement; (e) forming and networking professional communities for shared future of educational improvement in the world; and (f) comparing educational improvement in various systems and contexts in terms of key desirable values elaborated earlier, such as the improvement of educational mission, equality, quality, diversity, character, and so on.
- Axel Rivas, Universidad de San Andrés (Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected] )
- Adam Barton, University of Cambridge, UK (Chair-Elect/Program Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Xi Wu, Soochow University (Secretary, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Environmental and Sustainability Education SIG
The Environmental and Sustainability Education SIG (ESE SIG) promotes scholarly research and professional activities of those concerned with the intersection of education (broadly defined) and sustainable development. Specifically, the SIG explores how the discourse and practice of sustainable development affect educational institutions and how educational institutions facilitate the development of knowledge, skills, behaviors and attitudes needed for sustainable development.
- Carine Verschueren, Teachers College, Columbia University (Chair 2022-2024), [email protected]
- Erika Kessler, Teacher College, Columbia, Program Co-Chair, Unit Planner, [email protected]
- Pravindharan Balakrishnan, Loyola University, Chicago (Secretary/Treasurer, 2022-2024) [email protected]
- Click on SIG name to learn more.
The purpose of the Gender Justice SIG is to offer a supportive intellectual space for researchers and practitioners to share their work, network with each other, and advance the field. It also offers a mechanism for promoting issues, challenges and successes in the area of Gender Justice within the CIES and beyond.
Gender Justice is a rapidly growing field in education. This is evidenced by changes and innovations in education programs and practice; the increasing number of journals focused on gender research; conferences taking place in different regions of the world; and jobs in gender and education practice. Such growth indicates a need for space to engage in critical conversations on the complexities of gendered cross-cutting issues, emergent theoretical approaches, new methods of intersectional analyses, and innovations in transformational practices.
- Karishma Desai, Rutgers University. (Co-Chair, 2022-2024) [email protected]
- Rachel Silver, York University, Canada. (Co-Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Global Literacy SIG is organized around key issues in reading and writing instruction and assessment and larger issues and implications of literacy use throughout the world.
- MaryFaith Mount-Cors, EdIntersect, LLC (Co-Chair/Program Chair, 2020-2024) ([email protected])
- Audrey Spencer, Chemonics International (Co-Chair, 2021-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Global Mathematics Education SIG
The purpose of the Global Mathematics Education SIG (GME SIG) is to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners from around the world to discuss theory, practices, and techniques related to mathematics learning starting in early childhood to tertiary education.
- Wendi Ralaingita. RTI International. (Co-Chair) ([email protected])
- Deepa Srikantaiah. USAID. (Co-Chair) ([email protected])
- Yasmin Sitabkhan. RTI International. (Secretary/Treasurer)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Global Migration-SIG (GM-SIG) brings together scholars and practitioners who study migration from a range of research approaches to advance theories, methods, policies, and practices. The SIG takes up questions related to traditional assimilationist/integrationist paradigms in the field of migration and provides a space for examination of dimensions of migration such as: context (postcoloniality/globality), historicity, temporality and space, policy, identity/belonging, movement and bordering, public discourses, representation, racialization, language minoritization, surveillance/criminalization, transnationalism and translanguaging, problematizing legal and political classifications, emigration/immigration/transition, complicating notions of the nation-state, urban space and settlement, gateway cities, environmental migration, transnational migration.
- Lisa Unangst, SUNY Empire State College (Co-Chair 2022-2024), ([email protected])
- Susan Thomas, Syracuse University, (Co, Chair, Program Co-Chair, 2022-2024), [email protected]
- Ting Huang, (Secretary/Treasurer), [email protected]
- Bader Alfarhan, UCLA (Communications/Social Media) [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Globalization and Education SIG
The Globalization and Education SIG (GE SIG) seeks to provide a forum where researchers and practitioners involved in global study of comparative and international education have meaningful conversations and exchanges of ideas related to globalization and education.
- Tansen Musharraf, Malala Foundation, Bangladesh, [email protected]: Co-Chair (2022-2024)
- Simona Szakacs-Behling, Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg, [email protected]: Co-Chair (2023-2025)
- Helen Seitzer, University of Bremen, [email protected]: Secretary (2023-2025)
- Nick Palmer, Deakin University, [email protected]: Programme Chair (2023-2025)
- Patricia Grillet Rodriguez, University of Hawaii, [email protected]: Awards Committee Chair (2023-2025)
- Pravindharan Balakrishnan, Loyola University, [email protected]: Communications Manager
- Annette Graefe, German Center for Integration and Migration Research, DeZIM e.V. (Communications Manager 2022-2024) [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Higher Education SIG (HE SIG) serves as a networking hub for promoting scholarship opportunities, critical dialogue, and linking professionals and academics to the international aspects of higher education.
- Dante Salto, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Co-Chair, 2022-2025) ([email protected] )
- Maia Chankseliani, University of Oxford, UK, (Co-Chair, 2023-2025) ([email protected])
- Chrystal George Mwang, George Mason University (Program Co-Chair 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Lili Yang, University of Hong Kong (Program Co-Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Samantha Nissen, University of Minnesota and Northwestern University (Secretary, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Jeana Morrison, Evidence 4 Action-University of California San Francisco (Awards Committee Chairperson, 2021-2024) ([email protected])
- Rosalind Raby, (Unit Planner (2021-2024)Editor-in-Chief-JCIHE, [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
ICT4D (ICT for Development) is an outlet for members of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) to collaborate with, learn from, and create bonds that will heighten interest and research in this ever-growing area.
- Haijun Kang, Kansas State University (Co-Chair 2023-2025) [email protected]
- Jeffrey Lee, Brandman University (Co-chair, 2020-2024) [email protected]
- Katie Mahoney Williams, (Program Chair, 2023-2025)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Inclusive Education SIG (IE SIG) seeks to elicit the participation of scholars interested in educational issues specific to the multiple meanings of IE and, accordingly, to learners who are marginalized due to special educational needs. These might include: disabilities, second language acquisition, poverty, racial and ethnic discrimination, social exclusion, etc.
- Sakil Malik, DAI (Chair, 2020-2024) ([email protected] )
- Archana Mehendale, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Co-Chair, Program Co-Chair 2021-2024) [email protected]
- Anna Martin, Secretary, Program Co-Chair 2022-2024),World Bank/Ekitab, [email protected]
- Maya Weinberg, Oak Foundation Learning Differences Programme (Communications Officer)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Indigenous Knowledge and the Academy SIG
The Indigenous Knowledge and the Academy SIG (IKA SIG) consists of CIES members, members of indigenous communities, and practitioners who want to dialogue about ways to develop alternative knowledge and how this can be used to interact with and transform the academy.
- Maria Mercedes Arzadon, University of the Philippines (Co-Chair, 2021-2024) ([email protected])
- Prem Phyak, Chinese University of Hong Kong (Co-Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Anna Patricia Rodriguez-Carranza, University of the Philippines Diliman (Secretary, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Language Issues SIG (LI SIG) is a network of researchers and practitioners working to understand the role of language(s) in education, as well as the role of the languages of instruction in differing, and often contentious, political and cultural contexts.
- Yecid Ortega, Queen’s University Belfast (Co-Chair 2023-2025), [email protected]
- Anna Becker, (Co-Chair 2023-2025), Polish Academy of Sciences, [email protected]
- Celia Reddick, (2023-2025), Boston College/Harvard University, [email protected]
- Molly Hamm-Rodriguez, (Unit Planner, 2023-2025), University of South Florida, [email protected]
- Sudhashree Girmohanta, Unit Planner, 2023-2025, University of Toronto, [email protected]
- “Jack” John Knipe, (Communications Chair 2023-2025) Converse University, [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Large-Scale Cross-National Studies in Education SIG
The Large-Scale Cross-National Studies in Education SIG (LSCNSE SIG) mission is to promote research related to large-scale cross-national studies in education. The SIG aims to bring together scholars and practitioners who are contributing to the analysis, critique, and development of large-scale assessment methods and results, as well as their implications for education policy.
- Ellen Claes, KU Leuven, Belgium (Co-Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Ralph Carstens, International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), Germany. (Co-Chair, 2021-2024) ([email protected])\
- Natalia Lopez-Hornickel, SIG Chair, (2023-2025)
- Zhijun Chen, University of Bath, United Kingdom (Communications Officer 2021-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The purpose of the Monitoring and Evaluation SIG (M&E SIG) is to share and elevate best practices, evidence and research, challenges, and solutions regarding monitoring, evaluation, and learning in the field of international education. This SIG encourages practitioners, scholars, scholar-practitioners, researchers, evaluators, and students interested in monitoring and evaluation to engage in a variety of topics including: developing evaluation and research designs, creating analytical frameworks, using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, ensuring participatory evaluation principles and ethics of equity and inclusion, visualizing data, and establishing monitoring systems, among other monitoring, evaluation, and learning areas.
We encourage SIG members to engage with the SIG to: 1) Share resources and research on various topics in monitoring and evaluation for education programming and learning; 2) Collaborate and learn from one another, share challenges and solutions, and improve the field collectively; and 3) Join mentoring opportunities that link monitoring, evaluation, and learning enthusiasts at different points in the professional pathways.
- Anita Duskova, University of Pennsylvania (Co-Chair, 2022-2024), [email protected]
- Moe Izawa, University of Pennsylvania (Co-Chair, 2022-2024), [email protected]
- Simon King, RTI (Secretary 2021-2023)
- Emily Morris, American University (Academic Liaison, 2021-2023)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Peace Education SIG (PE SIG) brings together members of the Comparative and International Education Society with common interests in the study of peace and conflict, human rights, and social justice in education.
Dr. Yulia Nesterova, Co-Chair, (2023-2025), [email protected])
Dr. Zehavit Gross, (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Philanthropy and Education SIG
The Philanthropy and Education SIG (PiE SIG) aims to facilitate academic discourse on the topic of philanthropy in the education sector, while simultaneously exploring socially responsive and effective giving of individuals, corporations, and foundations. Members include those in academia (students, academics), those engaging in the policy-making processes (policymakers, governments) and philanthropic projects themselves (NGOs, philanthropies). Please join us and be a part of the conversation!
PIE SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Fabrice Jaumont, Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme, France (Co-Chair, 2021-2023) ([email protected])
- Janaan O. Farhat, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, UAE (Secretary and Program Chair) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Post-foundational Approaches to Comparative and International Education SIG
The Post-foundational Approaches in Comparative and International Education SIG (PfACIE SIG) was initiated to provide a dedicated space for comparative education scholars at all career stages interesting in sharing work that draws upon post-structural approaches to social theory. Whilst Foucault is already an important reference point for many CIES members the SIG also encourages engagement with other leading voices that are less audible within CIE (e.g. Agamben, Baudrillard, Butler, Derrida, Deleuze, Lacan, Rancière, Mbembe and Lather to name but a few). Recognizing that theory itself might be viewed as a constraining metanarrative, the SIG also takes inspiration from alternative intellectual horizons that might include mysticism, indigenous knowledges and Eastern religions. In this sense, the SIG is an invitation to work with, problematize and celebrate difference in social life, using this to inspire and regenerate the field of CIE.
- Yasin Tusic, Portland State University (Co Chair, Program Co-Chair) 2022-2024 [email protected]
- Jordan Corson, Stockton University (Co-Chair, Program Co-Chair, 2023-2025) [email protected]
- Sun Young Lee (Program Chair 2023-2025), [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Religion, Education, and Society SIG
The Religion, Education, and Society SIG (RE SIG) was established SIG with the purpose of comparatively exploring the links between education and religion across national, historical, and civilizational contexts. The SIG will foster an interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration focusing on the implications from the study of education-religion links for all fields of educational research and practice. Our key areas of focus include: Religion in Secular Schools; Religion in Religious Schools; Security and Religious Extremism; and Religious Education Curriculum around the World.
- Bruce Collet, Bowling Green State University, USA (Co-chair 2021-2023) [email protected]
- Yonah Hisbon Matemba, University of the West Scotland, UK (Co-Chair 2021-2023) ([email protected] )
- Secretary – Open, TBD
- Treasurer – Open, TBD
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression SIG
The term SOGIE—Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression– is increasingly used in international arenas along with the term LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex). The SOGIE SIG will be dedicated to promoting research on the experiences of LGBTI students in schools, the diffusion and uptake of human rights norms related to SOGIE, the roles the international community and NGOs play in SOGIE issues, and other related themes.
- Joseph G Kosciw, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) Research Institute (Co-Chair/Program Chair 2022-2024) [email protected]
- Oren Pizmony-Levy, Teachers College, Columbia University (Vice Chair 2022-2024, Program Chair 2022-2024) [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Study Abroad and International Students SIG
Today, over five million students cross geographical, cultural, and educational borders for their higher education. Educators and policymakers value international students as a potential resource toward campus internationalization in recent decades because of the rapid flow of ideas, technology, languages, information, and monetary benefit that they bring with them. This SIG hopes to offer a richer understanding of international students/scholars and their global experiences who are studying in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Americas where the emerging trends and practices of international students are prominent. It also hopes to include the cross-national, multi-institution, and interdisciplinary perspectives of faculty and domestic students who work (in)directly with international students and scholars.
- Thatcher Spero, Waseda University-Tokyo, Japan. (Chair) [email protected]
- Erika Saito, National University (Secretary) [email protected]
- Rosalind Raby, California Colleges for International Education (Program Chair) [email protected]
- Ralph Angeles, Lone Star College, North Harris, (Program Chair/Unit Planner) [email protected]
- Sarah R. Asada, Kyoritsu Women’s University, Japan (Treasurer) [email protected]
- Jiaqi (Jason) Li, Wichita State University (Membership Officer) [email protected]
- Shinji Katsumoto, University of Iowa (Graduate Student Representative) [email protected]
- Adam Grimm, Awards Committee Co-Chair, [email protected]
- Seyoung Hong, Michigan State University, (Awards Committee Co-Chair), [email protected]
- Uttam Gaulee, STAR Scholars Network, Advisor, [email protected]
- Krishna Bista, Morgan State University (Founding Chair), [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Teacher Education and the Teaching Profession SIG
The Teacher Education and the Teaching Profession SIG (TETP SIG) facilitates dissemination of information and fosters dialogues about critical issues in teaching and teacher education from national and international perspectives. Teachers/teacher educators/researchers are given an opportunity and a framework for discourse on issues, concerns, and successes pertaining to teaching and the teaching profession in each country.
TETP SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Sarah R. Lillo Kang, Southeast Missouri State University (Co-Chair, 2023-2025) ([email protected])
- Kimberley Daly, George Mason University (Secretary, 2022-2025) ([email protected])
- Hala Mreiwed, King’s University College at Western, Canada (Program Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Mina Min, Appalachian State University (Program Chair 2023-2025) ([email protected])
- Heather L. Reichmuth, University of Southern Maine (Membership Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Lamiaa Eid. University of Massachusetts Amherst (Communications, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Teaching Comparative and International Education SIG
The Teaching Comparative and International Education SIG (TCIE SIG) brings together scholars and instructors of comparative and international education from around the world. It is dedicated to understanding and enhancing the contours of course work in the field and promoting comparative and international education in higher education.
- Sara Bano, North Dakota University, (Chair 2021-2024, Program Chair 2023-24) ([email protected])
- Elisabeth E. Lefebvre, Bethel University (Chair 2022-2024, Program Chair 2023-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
Youth Development and Education SIG
The Youth Development and Education SIG provides a forum for researchers and practitioners involved in the global study of comparative and international education to debate and exchanges ideas related to youth development and secondary education.
- Heidi L. Fahning, Perdue University (Co-Chair 2023-2026) ([email protected])
- Injung Cho, George Washington University (Co-chair 2023-2026) ([email protected])
- Aichi Adoui, Georgetown University, (Communications Officer 2023-2025) ([email protected])
- Emily Morris, Program (Chair/Unit Planner 2023-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The following CIES SIGs represent geographical regions of study.
The Africa SIG aims to foster a sense of community among their members; inform the membership of best practices and current research in the field; and provide a valuable space for networking and dialoguing on Africa education.
- Lillian Niwagaba. New York Institute of Technology. (Chair). [email protected]
- Rhonesha L. Blaché. Teachers College, Columbia University. (Chair Elect). [email protected]
- Donna Swapp. University of Regina,Canada. (Secretary/Treasurer). [email protected]
- Mame Ndiaye. Cornell University. (Communications and Publications). [email protected]
- Samba Bah. Ohio University, Athens. (Communications and Publications). [email protected]
- Martial Dembélé. Université de Montréal, Canada. (Historian). [email protected]
- Barrel Gueye. Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya. (Program Chair)
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The East Asia SIG (EA SIG) aims to formalize and strengthen communication among scholars of East Asia, and to help the larger CIES membership become better acquainted with East Asian education and societies.
EA SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Peggy Kong, Drexel University (Chair, 2021-2024; Program Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Jingjing Lou, Beloit College (Vice Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Ting Wang, (Vice Chair, 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Yu Li, Kent State University (Secretary/Treasurer 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Yeji Kim, University of Missouri (Board Member 2022-2024) ([email protected])
- Ran Liu, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Board Member 2023-2025) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Eurasia SIG SIG will bring together educational researchers and practitioners working on or in Eurasia.
- Aliya Kuzhabekova. Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan. (Incoming Senior Co-Chair). [email protected]
- Zahra Jafarova. University of Toronto, OISE. (Emerging Junior Co-Chair). [email protected]
- Dilraba Anoyatova, Treasurer, 2023-2025
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Latin America SIG (LA SIG) includes Latin Americanist educators, leaders, and scholars who offer through their research and experiences the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishment of goals and the launching of projects in the region and to open the dialogue regarding the region’s educational experiences, achievements, and challenges.
LA SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Ebed M. Sulbaran, Kent State University (Co-Chair) ([email protected])
- Fernanda Gandara, School-to-School International (Co-Chair) ([email protected])
- Ana Karla Gonzalez, American Institutes of Health (Secretary/Treasurer) ([email protected])
- Valentina Duque, American Institutes for Research (Communication Chair)
- Noe Abraham Gonzalez Nieto, Universidad Autonama Metropolitano, (Secretary and Treasurer)
- Rafael Meza-Graduate Student Officer
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Middle East Special Interest Group brings together scholars, educators, and development practitioners interested in the study of the region. Through high quality scholarship, dissemination, and service we seek to enhance educational policy, programming, and pedagogy, and to foster understanding of the region’s peoples more generally.
The Middle East Special Interest Group operates under the auspice of the Comparative and International Education Society, and offers a nexus for those who are interested in educational issues within or about the broader Middle East and North Africa region, or with peoples from the region.
MENA SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Dr. Mona Yoanes, Beyond Border Global, (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), [email protected]
- Jewad Halawani, George Mason University, (Co-Chair, 2023-2025), [email protected]
- Shytance Wren, University of Maryland, (Communications Manager, Secretary, 2023-2025), [email protected]
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The mission of the South Asia SIG (SA SIG) is to create a community of researchers, policy-makers and practitioners interested in educational and social issues related to South Asia and South Asian Diaspora. The group aims to provide the much needed space for discussing and exchanging current research, policy, and best practices from the region and beyond, and to serve as a networking forum for graduate students, practitioners, policy makers, and researchers. We also publish monthly newsletters for our SIG members to assist in this community-building initiative by highlighting research and practices related to the field of education and development in a South Asian perspective.
SA SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Mary Ann Chacko, Ahmedabad University, Gujarat, India (Chair 2021-2023) ([email protected])
- Norin Taj, OISE University of Toronto (Secretary/Treasurer 2021-2024) ([email protected])
- Mariam Parvez Sheikh, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Graduate Student Rep. 2021-2024) ([email protected])
Click on SIG name to learn more.
The Southeast Asia SIG (SEA SIG) provides a collaborative space for educators, scholars, researchers, and practitioners working on scholarship from and about the Southeast Asian region (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea). A complex and historically rich region, Southeast Asia has responded to cultural, political, educational, and environmental changes for over several millennia, and the SEA SIG aims to explore the region from various disciplinary perspectives, including comparative and international education, anthropology, economics, philosophy, sociology, international relations, and public policy.
SEA SIG’s email: [email protected]
- Cody Freeman, Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand (Vice Chair 2020-2023) ([email protected])
- Kevin Henderson
CIES currently has 37 Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These groups provide a forum for the involvement of individuals drawn together by common interest, such as in a field of study or geographic region. The goals of SIGs include enhancing the comprehensiveness and diversity of CIES by promoting new research, collaborative opportunities, and mentoring of novice educational researchers. SIGs also provide a platform for continuing, long-term research interests, and allow more members to assume an active role in CIES during and between Annual Meetings.
SIGs exist under the auspice of CIES. The initial decisions to introduce SIGs into CIES occurred in 2004 under the Presidency of Kassie Freeman, with the first ones approved in 2005/2006. SIGs are required to conform to the Constitution and Bylaws of CIES and to the CIES Handbook Handbook for SIG Officers.
Recognized SIGs receive conference space for sessions at the Annual Meeting. To be considered active, a SIG must be constituted by at least 30 active CIES members, elect offers, prepare a program for the Annual Meeting, execute assigned submission reviews in preparation for the Annual Meeting, and submit an annual report to the CIES SIG Oversight Committee.
Membership in any SIG is open to all registered CIES members. SIG membership is $10, and only CIES members can join a SIG.
Members can pay SIG dues when joining or renewing their membership. If somebody is a current CIES member and would like to join a SIG during the year, they can visit CIES Membership to submit SIG dues.
Learn more about the individual SIGs here and find contact details of Group Representatives.
SIG Funds Disbursement Requests
SIGs collect funds from diverse sources such as membership fees and donations. When a SIG needs to use funds for monetary awards, receptions that not include alcohol, external website providers, speaker honorarium, or other expenses, they need to submit a request to the CIES Accounts Team of the Office of the Executive Director. There is a form available through the following link that should be filled out, signed, and sent to [email protected] with any supporting documentation: CIES Disbursement Request.
The process is as follows:
1) Complete the SIG Funds Disbursement Request Form in its entirety and have it digitally signed by the SIG Chair/Treasurer.
2) Send any supporting documentation for the expense (receipts for expenses, award letters, honorarium letter for speakers, etc.) as a PDF.
If an international wire transfer is needed, the accounts team will work directly with the payee to obtain bank information. We will also request W-9 or W-8 forms, etc.
Please submit the signed form and all supporting documentation to the [email protected] email address (for reference, also copy the SIG Coordination reference at [email protected]).
Starting a New SIG
Per the CIES Bylaws, any group of 37 or more active CIES members may petition for the establishment of a SIG. Each petition should include the printed names, email or mailing address, and signatures of the CIES members as well as a rationale describing the purpose, scope, and uniqueness of the SIG and its membership. Please refer to Appendix 1 of the CIES Handbook for SIG Officers. Completed petitions should be sent to the CIES Office of the Executive Director at [email protected].
The following describes the process for establishing a new SIG:
1. The requisite number of CIES members completes and sends a petition for a new CIES SIG to the CIES SIG Oversight Committee Co-Chairs (Appendix 1) by April 30. No funds are collected with this petition.
2. The SIG Oversight Committee reviews proposals and ensures that they meet all requirements, before forwarding its recommendation with the petition to the CIES Board of Directors by July 31.
3. The Board of Directors approves or rejects new SIG petitions by December 31.
4. SIGs approved by the Board of Directors are officially accepted into the Society at the next Annual Meeting, and hold their first business meeting and formally elect officers at the same Annual Meeting.
5. SIGs solicit panels at the Annual Meeting after their first Business Meeting and election of officers.