The rich history of the AERA Motivation in Education Special Interest Group can be traced back to the 1970s. The SIG was formally established in 1979. For more details on its genesis and growth, see the report on the SIG’s history written by Allan Wigfield and Theresa (Terri) Thorkildsen (with assistance from Judith Meece), which can be accessed here.
As part of our mission to advance motivation research in education, we were able to plan a landmark session at AERA 2017 that brought together a panel of motivation theorists and SIG founders including Edward Deci, Jacquelynne Eccles, Chris Hulleman, Dale Schunk, Tim Urdan, and Bernie Weiner. Alison Koenka facilitated the conversation, and Sandra Graham offered remarks as a moderator. The session, “Motivation Theory Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Reflections of Founders and Descendants,” was a resounding success with standing room only available in the room.
Founders (1979)
- Carole Ames
- Russell Ames
- Marty Covington
- Jacque Eccles
- Even Keislar (Initiator)
- John Nicholls
- Marty Maehr
- Bernie Weiner
Invited SIG Keynote Speakers
- 2021: Mesmin Destin, Elan Hope, Shanette Porter, Chauncey Smith (Moderated by DeLeon Gray)
- 2020: Claude Steele, Mesmin Destin, Elan Hope (Moderated by DeLeon Gray) – Canceled due to COVID-19
- 2019: Jamaal S. Matthews, Jessica DeCuir-Gunby, Ronnel King, Ellen Usher (Moderated by Akane Zusho)
- 2018: Panel of Early Career Scholars (Canning, Fong, Gray, Lauermann)
- 2017: Judith Harackiewicz, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
- 2016: Cynthia Hudley, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
- 2015: Sandra Graham, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- 2014: Jacquelynne S. Eccles, University of Michigan, USA
- 2013: Bernie Weiner, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- 2012: Reinhard Pekrun, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
- 2011: Ruth Butler, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem
- 2010: Julianne C. Turner, Notre Dame, USA
- 2009: Allan Wigfield, University of Maryland, USA
- 2008: Susan Nolen, University of Washington, USA
- 2007: Judith Meece, University of North Carolina, USA
- 2006: Richard Ryan, University of Rochester, USA
- 2005: Carol Ames, Marty Covington, Marty Maehr, Bernie Weiner
Former SIG Officers
April 2022-April 2024
Chair: Jamaal Matthews
Program Chair: Alison Koenka
Treasurer: Kristy A. Robinson
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Kori Nicolai, Elise Allen, Kimiko Ching
Early Career Co-Chairs*: Patrick Beymer, Allison Zengilowski
April 2020-April 2022
Chair: Carlton Fong
Program Chair: Tony Perez
Treasurer: Katie Muenks
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Arianna White, Yin Chen, Kori Nicolai
Early Career Co-Chairs*: Martin Daumiller, Annette Ponnock, Jessica Gladstone
April 2018-April 2020
Chair: Erika Patall
Program Chair: Jennifer Schmidt
Treasurer: Carlton Fong
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Peter McPartlan, Patrick Beymer, Arianna White
Early Career Co-Chairs*: Emily Rosenzweig, Alison Koenka, Martin Daumiller
April 2016-April 2018
Chair: Ellen Usher
Program Chair: Hadley Solomon
Treasurer: Marcus Johnson
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Emily Rosenzweig, Carly Champagne
April 2014-April 2016
Chair: Tim Urdan
Program Chair: Sarah Kiefer
Treasurer: AnneMarie Conley
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Michael Barger, Sarah Pennington, Emily Rosenzweig
April 2012-April 2014
Chair: Helen Watt, Monash, Australia
Program Chair: Jessica Summers, University of Arizona, USA
Treasurer: Toni Kempler Rogat, Rutgers University, USA
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Michael Barger, Kara Makara, Fani Lauermann, Megan Sanders
April 2010-April 2012
Chair: Michael Middleton
Program Chair: Helen Watt
Treasurer: Michelle Riconscente
Graduate Co-Chairs*: Kara Makara, Fani Lauermann
April 2008-April 2010
Chair: Johnmarshall Reeve
Program Chair: Michael Middleton
Treasurer: Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia
April 2006-April 2008
Chair: Lynley Anderman
Program Chair: Avi Kaplan
Treasurer: Jessica Summers
April 2004-April 2006
Chair: Tamera Murdock
Program Chair: Lynley Anderman
April 2002-April 2004
Chair: Julie Turner
Program Chair: Timothy Urdan
April 2000-April 2002
Chair: Eric Anderman
Program Chair: Tamera Murdock
April 1998-April 2000
Chair: Carolyn Jagacinski
Program Chair: Eric Anderman
April 1996-April 1998
Chair: Judith Meece
Program Chair: Teresa Garcia
April 1994-April 1996
Chair: Paul Pintrich
Program Chair: Susan Nolen
April 1992-April 1994
Chair: Allan Wigfield
Program Chair: Jaana Juvonen
April 1990-April 1992
Chair: Arden Miller
Program Chair: Paul Pintrich
April 1988-April 1990
Chair: Dale Schunk
Program Chair: Arden Miller
1986-1988
Chair/Program Chair: Dale Schunk
1984-1985
Chair/Program Chair: Mary Rohrkemper (McCaslin)
1983-1984
Chair/Program Chair: Harris Cooper
1982-1983
Chair/Program Chair: Carole Ames
1981-1982
Chair/Program Chair: Deborah Stipek
1980-1981
Chair/Program Chair: Jacquelynne Eccles
1979-1980
Chair/Program Chair: Russell Ames
*Graduate and ECR Co-Chairs are self-governing and elected by graduate members