Engaging Banned Books: Cultivating Civically Engaged Literacies with Arizona English Teachers in Censored Times

“Engaging Banned Books: Cultivating Civically Engaged Literacies with Arizona English Teachers in Censored Times” investigates how Arizona English language arts teachers are navigating increasing legislative pressures to remove diverse books from classrooms. Through a mixed-methods research design, including statewide surveys and in-depth interviews, this study will examine teachers’ perceptions of civic responsibility in the face of book banning policies. Findings will inform the development of professional learning opportunities and public programming focused on teaching literacy as a form of civic engagement. By connecting research to practice, this project aims to support educators, inform public discourse, and advance national conversations about intellectual freedom, inclusive education and the role of the humanities in a democratic society.