Author: Elena Aydarova
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Anthropology of Policy: Methodological Considerations
In this video interview, I discuss the ethnographic study of educational reforms in Russia and explain how I navigated the project that served as the foundation for the Political Theater of Teacher Education Reforms. If you are designing a research study that explores policy processes or presents a critical analysis of educational reforms, this video…
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Educators’ Policy Advocacy
Technocratic and managerial reforms spreading around the world are built on the assumption that if teaching is executed with technical precision that constitutes “high quality teaching,” then equity and justice will emerge as a byproduct of these efforts. But equity and justice require moral and ethical commitments that go beyond technical skills. It is about…
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Political Theater of the Anti-CRT Campaign
There is a wave of bills and resolutions that are sweeping across the country that on the surface claim to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools. Beyond the surface lie concerted efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion activities and outlaw culturally responsive teaching, critical pedagogy, and restorative justice approaches. As…
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Going Beyond Allyship: Allies, Accomplices, and Co-conspirators
On April 7, 2021, the members of the East Alabama chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice discussed the meaning of allyship and the many forms it can take. The presentation from that meeting is available here.
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The Rise of Anti-Asian Racism in the United States
On March 3, 2021 East Alabama chapter of Showing up for Racial Justice discussed the rise of anti-Asian racism in the United States. The presentation with suggested resources as well as considerations for taking action is included here.
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Disrupting the Disruptors: Reimagining Policy Advocacy in a Post-Truth Era
On October 29, 2020, I had an enormous privilege to give a keynote address to the Pennsylvania Association of Teacher Educators (PAC-TE). In this talk, I discussed how intermediary organizations and advocacy groups have engaged in promoting “science of reading” reforms across the nation. I offer this analysis as an invitation for teacher educators and…
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The University and the Global Pandemic: In the Eye of the Storm
This week marks the beginning of a new semester in many colleges and universities across the U.S. But unlike other semesters when the first week of classes evoked a sense of joyful anxiety and anticipation, this week has been filled with dread and a sense of a looming disaster. While some colleges and universities announced…
Elena (Helen) Aydarova 