Join us at Reconstructing Reading: Translating research into powerful classroom practice, an inspirational online festival where international thought leaders and experienced classroom practitioners will unpick and illuminate reading.
How can I join Reconstructing Reading?
For £25, you'll get admission for one 1 hour webinar.
For £35, you'll get admission for one 90 minute webinar
You can mix and match - sign up for as many webinars as you like!
For £100, you'll get full access:
- Get admission to every keynote and webinar throughout the week
- Exclusive admission to our Full Ticket Only sessions - including PhD showcases, insights from CLPE and National Literacy Trust, plus a Research into Practice lunchtime panel
- Limited time recordings of each session (available until 11:59pm on Sunday 30 November)
- Access to our digital learning suite, with associated resources
- Virtual goody bag
Which ticket type is right for you?
Take a look at our full line up below.
Who's speaking at Reconstructing Reading?
Monday 17 November
- 9:30am - 11am GMT
Dr Christina Clark, Director of Research and Evaluation, and Irene Picton, Senior Research Manager, National Literacy Trust
In this opening session, we will explore insights from our ground-breaking research into children and young people's reading habits across the UK, and implications for how we teach and support this vital capability.
Exclusive to Full Ticket holders.
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm GMT
Anjali Patel, Lead Advisory Teacher, CLPE
In this lunch time webinar, Anjali will share important takeaways from the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education's impactful research into children and young people's reading.
Exclusive to Full Ticket holders.
- 2:15pm - 3:15pm GMT
Professor Kate Nation, Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford
Professor Nation will explore Reading Experience and the Power of Book Language:
How do children become expert readers? Comparing written and spoken language, I’ll illuminate how the reading experience drives developments in language and literacy – devising approaches to support reluctant or struggling readers.
- 4pm - 5:30pm GMT
Timothy Shanahan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago
In the first of two keynotes, Timothy Shanahan will explore Teaching reading with complex text:
Teachers have long been told to teach reading at students’ ‘reading levels’. I’ll examine the research evidence behind this approach and explore alternatives, with explicit teaching of all key elements.
Tuesday 18 November
- 09:30am - 10:30am GMT
Dr Sinéad Harmey, Director of the International Literacy Centre, UCL Institute of Education
Dr Harmey will explore Emergent Literacy in the Early Years:
Children’s literacy is shaped from birth onwards. I’ll examine how to support all children’s literacy needs, and honour a diverse range of experiences through intentional and evidence-based instructional approaches.
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm GMT
PhD Showcase
Fresh insights from the forefront of reading research - we're thrilled to be joined by PhD researchers showcasing their work: Faith Bowman and Violeta Baikousi from Nottingham Trent University, and Amy Lock and Isidora Rabanal from UCL Institute of Education.
Exclusive to Full Ticket holders.
- 2:15pm - 3:15pm GMT
Dr Janet Vousden, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology, Nottingham Trent University
Dr Vousden will explore Understanding spelling and its assessment:
In this session I will briefly outline why spelling English is a difficult task, and explain how theory can not only help us understand the ways in which children might struggle with spelling, but also how we can assess that to help guide more tailored support.
- 4pm - 5:30pm GMT
Dr Jan Hasbrouck PhD, consultant/researcher, JH Educational Services, and Dr Gerald Tindal PhD, Director of Behavioral Research and Teaching, University of Oregon
Dr Hasbrouck & Dr Tindal will explore Oral Reading Fluency assessments and norms:
Reading fluency is multifaceted and complex. We will explore Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) in detail and argue for a deeper, data-driven approach to assessing and supporting reading fluency.
Wednesday 19 November
- 10am - 11am GMT
Professor Victoria Murphy, Professor of Applied Linguistics and Director of the Department of Education, University of Oxford
Professor Murphy will explore Beyond Words: Vocabulary, figurative language and literacy development in multilingual learners:
How do children with English as an Additional Language develop reading comprehesion - and what can teachers do to better support them? Drawing on UK and international data, I'll explore the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and comprehension, highlighting the particular challenges of figurative and multi-word language. I'll offer evidence-informed insights and practical implications for ensuring all learners can access, enjoy, and excel in reading.
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm GMT
Professor Natalia I. Kucirkova, Professor of Reading and Children's Development, The Open University and University of Stavanger
Professor Kucirkova will explore From E-Books to AI Coaches:
I’ll share my latest research findings on e-reading, emphasising approaches that engage child voice and support agency. You’ll gain an understanding of how AI-enabled platforms are reshaping reading experiences – and what this means for literacy development.
- 4pm - 5:30pm GMT
Dr Jennifer Milne & Professor Keith Topping, Education & Society, University of Dundee
Dr Milne and Professor Topping will explore Teacher use of evidence-based reading instruction and improving student teacher preparedness: What is the problem and what can we do about it?:
Join an active discussion where we’ll explore the latest findings on the application of evidence in the classroom. How can these help us address the challenges teachers face? We’ll identify the knowledge gaps, address how to bridge them and discuss the implications for the next generation of educators.
Thursday 20 November
- 9:30am - 10:30am GMT
Professor Kate Cain, Professor of Language and Literacy, Department of Psychology, Lancaster University
Professor Cain will explore Making sense of reading comprehension:
How can we support reading for meaning? I’ll unpick the complex system of cognitive processes that make up reading comprehension.
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm GMT
PhD Showcase
Fresh insights from the forefront of reading research - we're thrilled to be joined by PhD researchers showcasing their work: Homayra Rahimi and Wen Yang from UCL Institute of Education, and Dr Anish Harrison from the University of the West of England.
Exclusive to Full Ticket holders.
- 4pm - 5:30pm GMT
Professor Young-Suk Grace Kim, School of Education, University of California, Irvine
Dr Kim will explore Beyond the Reading Rope: theory- and evidence-based practices for effective reading instruction
How can we translate reading research insights into effective instruction and assessment practices? I’ll focus on how to adapt approaches for students with diverse needs, including EAL and dyslexia.
Friday 21 November
- 9:30am - 10:30am GMT
Dr Geraldine Magennis-Clarke, Senior Lecturer in Education & Literacy, St. Mary's University College
Dr Magennis-Clarke will explore Seeing the wood for the trees: Children's perspectives on learning to read:
What are the ‘big messages’ that primary children receive about reading and its relation to enjoyment? I’ll consider how this messaging infuses the complex process of becoming a skilled reader.
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm GMT
Research into Practice lunchtime panel
Join us with guest speakers for a panel discussion reflecting on the insights from the week, and how literacy practitioners can apply these to their practice.
Panel line up to be announced.
Exclusive to Full Ticket holders.
- 2:15pm - 3:15pm GMT
Dr Sarah Moseley, author and education consultant
Dr Moseley will explore Inclusive Literacy for All: Teaching Reading and Writing through a Neurodiversity Lens:
How do we ensure that every learner, including those with SEND and neurodiverse profiles, has access to meaningful literacy? This session will explore how research can be translated into adaptive classroom practice that reduces barriers and promotes progress for all. Drawing on principles of Universal Design for Learning, alongside evidence-informed strategies for memory, executive function, and communication needs, I’ll share practical tools and approaches to support reading and writing development across diverse learner profiles – from emergent to fluent stages.
- 4pm - 5pm GMT
Timothy Shanahan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago
In his closing keynote, Timothy Shanahan will explore Reading-Writing Relationships - Using Writing to Improve Reading:
I’ll explore several types of relationship between reading and writing, and their implications for the classroom – with emphasis on how writing can improve reading achievement.