Rutgers professors address diversity in R&D and Pre-K at SXSW EDU

Dr. Marybeth Gasman and Dr. Steven Barnett from Rutgers Graduate School of Education will participate as panelists at the upcoming South by Southwest EDU (SXSW EDU) conference. This event will address topics related to diversity in education research and development, as well as the strengthening of Pre-K education nationwide.

Dr. Gasman will lead a session titled "Building & Broadening the Education R&D Enterprise" on March 3 at the Austin Convention Center in Texas. She emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives in research and development, stating, "There are so many things that investing in research and development can manifest." Her session aims to discuss how institutions, particularly Black colleges and Minority Serving Institutions, can expand their research capabilities to foster a more diverse professional group.

The panel will also cover the significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions in creating a diverse workforce for education research and development. Dr. Gasman will be joined by Dr. Jinann Bitar, Dr. Pamela Scott-Johnson, and Dr. Ivory Toldson to explore policy solutions that address these issues.

In addition to her panel discussion, Dr. Gasman will host a book signing for her latest works at SXSW EDU.

Dr. Steven Barnett's session, "A Path Forward: Strengthening Pre-K Across the Nation," is scheduled for March 4 at the same venue. This session will focus on the long-term benefits of high-quality preschool education and strategies for improving access and quality across states.

Joining Dr. Barnett are Diego Bernal from the Texas House of Representatives, Allison Muhlendorf from Longleaf Strategies, and Maximiliano Rombado from Raise Your Hand Texas. They aim to discuss advancements in pre-K quality and accessibility.

Dr. Barnett highlighted the critical nature of early childhood education by saying, "You could say it is, literally, a matter of life and death." His extensive experience as an economist informs his advocacy for effective early education policies.

Both professors bring significant expertise to their respective fields with their involvement aiming to promote diversity in educational research and enhance early childhood education quality across the nation.

Information from this article can be found here.