In this initial stage of the conceptualization process, we will develop collaborative pathways to advance our vision and advocacy for social justice, instructional equity, and wellness in special education. Here we will develop new relationships, discuss current polemics in special education, and collaboratively brainstorm promising critical research agenda to address perennial issues in research and practice. Our main objective in this virtual conversation is to collectively define what critical special education is and how this can be a bridge between two competing paradigms - Disability Studies in Education/DisCrit and Special Education.