Confronting Educational Censorship and Defending the Freedom to Learn

The Scholarly Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice
February 18-20, 2027 • In-Person
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Confronting Educational Censorship and Defending the Freedom to Learn The Scholarly Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ)

Event Dates: February 18-20, 2027
Location: American University's Campus in Washington, DC
Registration: Opens November 15 - Save the date!

This year's theme, "Confronting Educational Censorship and Defending the Freedom to Learn," will examine the growing challenges of censorship, book bans, curriculum restrictions, and other efforts that limit access to diverse ideas, histories, identities, and perspectives in education. We invite educators, researchers, practitioners, students, policymakers, and advocates to explore research, strategies, and practices that protect intellectual freedom, amplify historically marginalized voices, and ensure equitable access to knowledge. Together, participants will consider how schools, universities, communities, and organizations can challenge educational censorship and safeguard the freedom to teach, learn, inquire, and engage critically with the world.

A Call for Proposals

Do you have expertise in censorship and defending the freedom to learn? We invite you to view our Call for Proposals. The proposals is extended until October 21.

Call for Proposals

Selected
Overview
Schedule
Speakers
Committee
Book Series

What Is SIEEJ? Confronting Educational Censorship and Defending the Freedom to Learn

The annual Baker School of Education Scholarly Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ) convenes local and national educators and education advocates to highlight new practices and strategies for addressing the educational needs of Black, Brown, and indigenous students. The Institute aims to bring together educators, students, researchers, policymakers, art experts, and community leaders to explore innovative strategies, evidence-based solutions, and the importance of solidarity in creating safer schools.

Everyone is welcome to attend, especially:

  • PreK–12 educators, school and district leaders, school librarians and media specialists, higher education faculty and researchers, legislators and policymakers, education advocates, parents and families, students, school board members, legal and civil rights professionals, community-based organizations, and others committed to confronting educational censorship, protecting intellectual freedom, and defending the freedom to teach and learn.

Day 1: Thursday, February 18

TBD: Welcome Reception

Day 2: Friday, February 19

8:00–8:40 a.m.

Registration, Continental Breakfast, Chat and Chew Opening Comments

9:00–10:30 a.m.

Opening Concurrent Sessions (Session I)

  • Educational Leadership, Policy & Governance (Track 1)
  • Curriculum, Instruction & Teacher Education (Track 2)

10:30–11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Opening Keynote Address

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Lunch (on your own)

1:30–3:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (Session II)

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Disability & Human Rights (Track 3)
  • Libraries, Literacy & the Freedom to Read (Track 4)

3:00–3:30 p.m.

Networking Break

3:30–5:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (Session III)

  • Higher Education & Academic Freedom (Track 5)
  • Youth Voice, Community Engagement & Democratic Education (Track 6)

5:00–6:30 p.m.

Poster Session & Light Reception

6:30 p.m.

Dinner On Your Own

Day 3: Saturday, February 20

8:30–9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

9:00–10:30 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions (Session IV)

  • Historical & Contemporary Perspectives on Educational Censorship (Track 7)
  • Innovative Practices & Promising Solutions (Track 8)

10:30–11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (Session V) Research Presentations Panel Presentations

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Box Lunch

1:30–3:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (Session VI) Interactive Workshops Research Presentations

3:00–3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30–5:00 p.m.

Featured Panel Discussion The Future of Academic Freedom and Educational Equity

5:00–5:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks & Conference Awards

5:30–7:00 p.m.

Closing Dr. Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy Keynote Address

7:00 p.m.

Reception with Heavy Hors’ Douvres

Please check back as additional speakers are announced.

Nicholas D. Hartlep, PhD University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Nicholas D. Hartlep, PhD

Hartlep (he/him/his) is lead editor of In the Academy, But Not at the Table: Voices of Marginalized Faculty on the Tenure Track and serves as researcher-in-residence at the Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity. From 2019 to 2026, Hartlep held the Robert Charles Billings Endowed Chair in Education and chaired the education studies department at Berea College, a top-50 nationally-ranked liberal arts college and federally recognized Work College. He completed In the Academy, But Not at the Table while on research sabbatical during the 2025–2026 academic year, when he also served as a strategic advisor to Tracey A. Benson Consultancy. Hartlep’s scholarship examines the model minority stereotype of Asian Americans; K–12 and higher education leadership; teaching and transformation in urban educational settings; and the effects of neoliberalism on public P–20 education. He has published 27 books in education, two of which were named Outstanding Books by the Society of Professors of Education. His honors include a “Teacher Who Made a Difference Award” from the University of Kentucky College of Education; an “Asian Leader Worth Watching” Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal; recognition as one of the “Top 100 Leaders in Education” by the Global Forum for Education and Learning; an “Emerging Leader” Award from the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED); an “Emerging Scholar” Award from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education; a Society of Professors of Education (SPE) Outstanding Book Award for Racial Battle Fatigue in Faculty: Perspectives and Lessons from Higher Education; selection as a Visiting Scholar of Color at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse; selection as a Mellon Foundation Periclean Faculty Leader in the Humanities; and a John Saltmarsh Award for Emerging Leaders in Civic Engagement from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). With generous financial support from BranchED, Hartlep is co-authoring What Can Be Learned from Work Colleges? An Education That Works. Hartlep is also the founder and creator of “The Book Doctor,” a public-facing consulting platform that helps scholars, executives, practitioners, educators, and emerging authors develop meaningful book ideas and bring them into the world.

Learn more about his work at www.nicholashartlep.com and at the companion website for In the Academy, But Not at the Table, www.notathetable.com

Ibram X. Kendi, PhD Antiracist Scholar and Historian

Ibram X. Kendi, PhD

Kendi is one of the world’s foremost historians of racism and a leading antiracist scholar. He is the Carter G. Woodson Endowed Chair in History at Howard University, and the inaugural director of Howard’s Institute for Advanced Study. Kendi is the author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, making him the youngest author to win that award. Stamped from the Beginning was adapted into highly acclaimed books for young readers and an Emmy-nominated documentary on Netflix. Kendi also authored the international bestseller, How to Be an Antiracist, which was described in the New York Times as “the most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind.” In total, Kendi has published eighteen books for adults and children, including twelve New York Times Best Sellers, five of which were #1 New York Times Best Sellers. Time magazine named Kendi one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as the Genius Grant. His latest critically acclaimed book and best seller is Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age.

Planning Committee

The 2027 SIEEJ Planning Committees works to coordinate the success of the Institute.

  • Ju'Quay Collyear – Logistics and Event Coordinator
  • Dr. Jaquial L. Durham – General Support & Partnerships
  • Dr. Antonio L. Ellis – Institute Director & Associate Professor
  • Mark Forsberg – Institute Registration and Logistics
  • Dr. Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy - Ex officio Member and Founder 
  • Leslie A. Jones – Institute Speakers
  • Terence Mayo - Executive Assistant to the Director & Academic Community Liaison
  • Jason Pier – Marketing & Communication
  • Brittany Rockwell – Graphic Design
  • Forging Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Comprehensive Mental Health Programming Across P-16 Education Systems
    Education professionals have consistently recognized the profound impact of mental health on students' learning and academic achievement. Numerous studies document how mental health influences PreK-16 outcomes, including graduation rates, academic performance, coursework completion, motivation, and emotional stability.
  • Beyond the Spectrum: Navigating the Mental Health Landscape of LGBTQ+ Youths
    Beyond the Spectrum: Navigating the Mental Health Landscape of LGBTQ+ Youths delves into the multifaceted experiences of LGBTQ+ youths, unraveling the intricate interplay between mental health and identity within this diverse community. As societal attitudes shift, and acceptance grows, this book provides a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youths.
  • Ending Violence in PreK-16 Schools
    Ending Violence in PreK–16 Schools provides a comprehensive examination of the complex issues surrounding violence prevention and intervention in educational settings, focusing on promoting equity, justice, and safety for all students.

Are you a scholar or practitioner committed to examining educational censorship through research, policy, practice, and advocacy? We welcome proposals representing diverse theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, educational settings, and lived experiences. The proposal deadline was extended until October 21.

Learn More

Registration opens November 15 - Save the date!

 

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Past SIEEJ Events

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