Hawkins is a professor with the School of Education’s No. 1-ranked Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

The reviewers for this award were particularly impressed with Hawkins’ innovative contributions of her scholarship, including her cutting-edge research on issues such as critical theory, social justice language teacher education, transmodalities, community engagement, and young learners. The reviewers also made note of her important work that engages with international communities.

Hawkins has worked as a researcher and educational consultant in multiple countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Central and South America. Hawkins’ current project is the Global StoryBridges program that she developed and coordinates. This initiative connects under-resourced, English-learning youth across the globe through digital technology to learn about each other’s lives and communities through sharing videos and chats. The project improves language, literacy and technology skills of participating youth, while fostering global relationships, knowledge, and citizenship.

Hawkins has also now developed an international research team to investigate various aspects of the transnational communications among youth.

The reviewers for this award also lauded Hawkins for her outstanding mentorship of doctoral students, early career scholars and teachers.

“I’m grateful to AERA for recognizing and honoring my work,” says Hawkins. “I’d also like to thank my national and international networks of colleagues and educators for their continual support and collaboration.”

Hawkins will deliver a short talk about her work at the Second Language Research SIG’s annual meeting, which takes place during AERA’s 2019 Annual Meeting in Toronto April 5-9.