RTE Call for Proposals
Themed Issue: Research on Literacy in Diverse Educational Contexts
Guest Edited by Valerie Kinloch (kinloch.2@osu.edu), Arnetha Ball (arnetha@stanford.edu), and Maria Franquiz (mfranquiz@mail.utexas.edu)
The Call
The purpose of this themed issue is to explore—through rigorous research and various theoretical orientations and methodologies—studies in literacy that are being conducted by and/or on racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse people in multiple educational contexts. The guest editors are interested in receiving abstracts from early career scholars of color in language, literacy, and cultural studies that investigate the literate lives, language practices, academic achievements, and/or social networking systems of children, youth, and/or adults in diverse educational contexts. Such contexts can include, but are not exclusive to: familial communities, recreational centers, schools, online environments, social clubs, and activist community and national organizations.
A growing body of research in literacy, specifically, and in education, generally, has begun to examine various factors that contribute to how children, young people, and adults engage literacy to negotiate home and school practices as well as to produce extended meanings of education as they (re)conceptualize their identities in a diverse world. What do these things imply for research on literacy in diverse educational contexts, particularly in relation to people of color? What are specific examples of practices that encapsulate racially, ethnically, linguistically, and/or culturally rich identities of children, youth, and adults across local and global contexts? How can critical educational research in literacy studies account for dynamic interactions, practices, and literate engagements of children, youth, and/or adults of color in ways that critique unfounded notions that they are disinterested in learning? We ask that you consider these questions, among many others, as you theorize the meanings, purposes, and values of research on literacy in diverse educational contexts. In your research abstract (see below), we ask that you attend to the larger issues behind these questions by proposing a study that is theoretically sophisticated and offers implications for educational research and practice.
Proposed Timeline
- June 1, 2009: Potential contributors are to submit a short abstract (approximately 1–1½ typed, single-spaced pages) where they describe the overall purpose of the proposed article, its focus in direct relation to the theme of the journal issue, and the premise, intentions, and theoretical and/or methodological orientations that inform the work. Be sure to attach a reference list to your abstract and provide full contact information. Contributors will be notified of the status of their research abstract within about one month of the deadline. Invited contributors will be given information about deadlines, length, and structure.
- September 29, 2009: Contributors should be prepared to submit a complete, strong manuscript to the guest editors by the end of September. We will read and review the article and submit it for external peer review and feedback. Please note that acceptance of abstracts does not guarantee publication of the manuscript.
- February 1, 2010: We anticipate final revisions of articles for the special issue will be submitted from all contributing authors by this date, so that the themed journal issue can appear in August 2010.
Submission and Review Process
All submissions should be made to the current home institution for RTE at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Submit an electronic copy of your abstract along with a cover letter addressed to the guest editors that indicates your interest in being considered for the special issue to the following address: rte@education.illinois.edu.
Please note that acceptance of abstracts does not guarantee publication of the manuscript. Invited manuscripts will be reviewed by the guest editors and will be assigned to external reviewers. You will receive more information about the peer review process if your abstract is accepted for consideration. Centralized submission of abstracts, manuscripts, revisions, and reviews will ensure that the journal editors and guest editors can track the progress of manuscripts and their reviews.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact any one of the guest editors.
Thank you!