Call for Papers: Special Series on Ethnic Studies in K-12 Education
The Editors of Ethnic Studies Review (ESR) invites submissions for academic articles and
practical reports (“from the field”) focused on the intersections of pedagogy, ethnic studies, and
their practice in K-12 education. We seek to explore how ethnic studies is taught, implemented,
and experienced in K-12 settings, and how these practices contribute to a broader
understanding of critical education, anti-racism, social justice, and inclusive pedagogy. Accepted
submissions will be published as part of an ongoing special series across multiple issues.

Scope and Themes
This special series aims to bring together scholars, educators, and practitioners to discuss the
role of ethnic studies in shaping the educational experiences of students and communities. We
are particularly interested in original research, theoretical papers, case studies, and practical
guides that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

● Curriculum Development and Pedagogical Approaches: How is ethnic studies
integrated into the K-12 curriculum? What pedagogical strategies are most effective in
teaching ethnic studies? How do these approaches contribute to the overall goals of
multicultural education?
● Histories and Processes: What are the pathways being forged and challenges
experienced within local or state communities, school districts, or regions? What tools,
strategies, or techniques have proven most effective?
● Implementation and Practice: What are the challenges and successes in implementing
ethnic studies programs in K-12 schools? How do educators navigate institutional,
political, and cultural barriers? What best practices have emerged from the field?
● Student Experiences and Outcomes: How do students from various racial and ethnic
backgrounds experience ethnic studies courses? What impact do these courses have on
their academic performance, identity development, and social awareness? How does
community engagement change based on these experiences and learning?
● Teacher Preparation and Professional Development: How are educators being
prepared to teach ethnic studies? What ongoing professional development opportunities
exist, and how do they influence teaching practices? What resources are most in need?
● Policy and Advocacy: How have local, state, and national policies influenced the
adoption and implementation of ethnic studies in K-12 education? What role do
advocacy groups and community organizations play in this process?
● Intersectionality in Ethnic Studies: How do ethnic studies courses address the
intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and other identities? How do these
intersections influence pedagogy and student engagement?

Submission Guidelines
We welcome contributions from a range of disciplines, including education, sociology,
anthropology, ethnic studies, and more. Submissions should provide original insights and
contribute to the ongoing discourse around pedagogy and ethnic studies in K-12 education, or
present unique localized case studies.

● Manuscript Length: Academic articles should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words,
including references, tables, and figures. Practical reports may vary in length and form.
● Formatting: Manuscripts should follow Chicago style guidelines. Please refer to ESR
formatting directions on UC Press page for more details.
● Submission Deadline: Manuscripts will be received and accepted on an ongoing basis.
● Submission Process: Please submit your manuscript through our online submission
portal at Scholastica [https://esr.scholasticahq.com/for-authors]. When submitting to
Scholastica’s portal, include a statement within the abstract indicating interest in the
series (i.e., “Please consider this submission for the Special Series on ES in K-12”).
Upon final acceptance, authors will be required to sign an ESR Author Agreement.

Review Process
All academic submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Authors will typically
be notified of the review outcome within 16 weeks of submission.

Contact Information
For questions regarding this call for papers or the submission process, please contact the ESR
Editor, Natchee Barnd, at natchee_barnd@ucsb.edu.

We look forward to your contributions and to advancing the dialogue on pedagogy and ethnic
studies in K-12 education.