page_title: European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Inaugural EARLI meeting in Leuven (1985)
context_page_description: The European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction was founded at Leuven University in 1985 to support research in the field of learning and instruction. The association's main activities include a Biennial, international Conference, support of research groups such as SIGs, E-CER and EFGs and journal outlets for educational researchers in Europe. This non-profit membership association has about 2,500 members from over 60 different countries, both European and beyond. The five best represented countries within EARLI's membership are Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Finland.
  Researchers can join the association through annual membership. On top of their general membership, EARLI supports several Special Interest Groups. These SIGs allow a smaller group of EARLI members to discuss specific educational themes. The main goal of the SIGs is to improve communication between researchers active in a similar field. Each SIG is governed by two coordinators who are assisted by a Junior Coordinator. Since the foundation of EARLI in 1985, 27 SIGs have been formed, covering a wide range of educational topics.
context_section_description: Since its foundation in 1985 EARLI has organised Biennial Conferences throughout Europe. The first EARLI conference took place in 1985 in Leuven, Belgium, from June 10–13.  
  The first EARLI President was Erik De Corte, who also was among the founders of the association. European professors in the field of learning and instruction, including Heinz Mandl, Erik De Corte, Erno Lehtinen, Neville Bennett, Pierro Boscolo and Roger Säljö, met often at the meetings of the American Educational Research Association which is where the first foundations for a European association were laid. Some 140 researchers attended the first EARLI conference, including scientists such as Dick Snow, Robert Glaser, Lauren Resnick and Bill Mc Keachie. 
  In 1999, a network of Junior Researchers (JURE) was established in order "to represent and support research students", and to further "learning and interaction among junior and senior researchers". Annual events organised for the JURE community are supported by the EARLI Office.
caption: Inaugural EARLI Members Meeting in Leuven, 1985.
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