MILE Literacy Research Symposium
February 13th, 2026 • Morgan State University
It’s already that time again? MILE is excited to host the second annual Literacy Research Symposium this February. The event will feature presentations from Drs. April Baker-Bell and Emily Solari, recipients of MILE Innovation Seed Grants, and a student poster session.
Stay tuned for additional info and updates!
Pictured: Min Wang, 20252026 Speakers
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Dr. April Baker-Bell is an Associate Professor of Language, Culture, and Justice in Education in the Joint Program in English and Education and Educational Studies at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education. A former high school English teacher and graduate of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, her research is situated at the intersections of Black Language and literacies, anti-Black racism, and antiracist /pro-Black language pedagogies.
Dr. Baker- Bell is an international leader in conversations on Black Language education, and her multi award-winning book, Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy, brings together theory, research, and practice to dismantle Anti-Black Linguistic Racism (a term Baker-Bell coined) and white linguistic supremacy. The book provides ethnographic snapshots of how Black students in Detroit navigate and negotiate their linguistic and racial identities across multiple contexts, and it captures what Antiracist Black Language Pedagogy looks like in community with Black youth. Linguistic Justice features a range of multimodal examples and practices through instructional maps, charts, artwork, and stories that reflect the urgent need for antiracist language pedagogies in our current social and political climate.
Her latest research project, which was funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, involves collaborating with healthcare scholars and researchers to develop, implement and study antiracist medical curriculum interventions that support healthcare professionals with developing an antiracist praxis for confronting and reducing racial bias and anti-Black racism in medical and healthcare institutions.
Dr. Baker-Bell is the recipient of many awards and fellowships, including the 2023 Michigan Council of Teachers of English’s Charles Carpenter Fries Award, the 2021 Coalition for Community Writing Outstanding Book Award, the 2021 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s New Directions Fellowship, the 2021 Michigan State University’s Community Engagement Scholarship Award and the 2021 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Creative Activity, the 2020 NCTE George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language, the 2020 Theory Into Practice Article of the Year Award, the 2019 Michigan State University Alumni Award for Innovation & Leadership in Teaching and Learning, the 2018 AERA Language and Social Processes Early Career Scholar Award, and many more.
Prior to joining the Marsal Family School of Education, Dr. Baker-Bell was an Associate Professor of Language, Literacy, and English Education at Michigan State University. She was affiliated with the English Education program, the Department of African American and African Studies, and the Center for Bioethics and Social Justice in the College of Human Medicine.
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Stay tuned for updates!
MILE Innovation Seed Grants
For Doctoral Students
The MILE Doctoral Student Innovation Seed Grant supports PhD students at the University of Maryland and Ph.D. or Ed.D. students at Morgan State University in advancing equity-focused language and literacy research. One doctoral scholar from each institution will receive up to $5,000 to fund projects that address systemic literacy challenges across the lifespan. The deadline to submit applications is November 3rd, 2025
Funded students will also present their work at the MILE Literacy Research Symposium on February 13, 2026.
For Faculty
The MILE Innovation Seed Grant funds interdisciplinary faculty research that advances equitable language and literacy outcomes in Maryland communities. Up to two faculty projects (one at UMD, one at MSU) will each receive up to $10,000 to support translational, intervention-focused, or practice-oriented studies. Priority is given to projects that involve collaboration, junior faculty, or work with underserved populations. The deadline to submit applications is November 3rd, 2025
Winners will present at the MILE Literacy Research Symposium on February 13, 2026.
FAQs
What is the Literacy Research Symposium?
MILE’s Literacy Research Symposium showcases interdisciplinary and translational language and literacy research done by students and faculty at UMD and our partner institution, Morgan State University. This event explores cutting-edge research in language and literacy, through activities like keynotes and poster presentations, and provides an opportunity for collaboration and networking with faculty from the University of Maryland and Morgan State University.
What Are MILE Innovation Seed Grants?
The MILE Innovation Seed Grants provide funding for doctoral students and faculty at the University of Maryland and Morgan State University to advance equity-focused language and literacy research. Supporting both early-stage and interdisciplinary projects, the grants aim to address systemic literacy challenges, foster collaboration, and promote impactful, practice-oriented studies that benefit Maryland communities. Recipients share their work at the annual MILE Literacy Research Symposium.
I missed last year’s event. Where can I learn more about it?
You’re in luck! Visit out 2025 symposium page to learn more about the event.