Teachers, educators and the balancing act: Evidence-based approaches to literacy and curriculum

This free, one-day seminar is designed for teachers, teacher educators and policy makers who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of research in literacy and curriculum framing.

Visiting Professor Dominic Wyse from University College London (UCL) will present the need for balance and what it means for teachers and educators in the changing policy environment. Referring to the polarising debates about phonics and evidence-based practices, the opening keynote will showcase why the model of the Double Helix of Reading and Writing is more effective than narrow phonics approaches. The research informed balanced approach will be essential understanding for teachers, educators, pre-service teachers, teacher educators and policy makers.

There are three panels during the day:

Literacy panel: an evidence-based approach to teaching phonics, reading, and writing.

This panel will provide an academic perspective on balancing practices of teaching literacy in changing times – and what it means to seek ‘balance’ more broadly. The panellists will respond to provocations around balanced and evidence-based teaching of reading and writing.

Panellists: Dr Maria Nicholas (Deakin University), Professor Janet Scull (Monash University), Professor Robyn Cox (University of Tasmania), Associate Professor Glenn Auld (Deakin University).

Chair: Professor Louise Paatsch (Deakin University).

Curriculum panel: an evidence-based approach to teaching across the curriculum.

The focus of this panel is how teachers and educators balance the work of enacting mandated curriculum in the context of fast policy changes. Drawing on their discipline and learning context, the expert panel members will answer questions about evidence-based approaches to teaching across the curriculum. This panel will examine the why and how of translating research into practice to provide insights into balancing teaching and educating across mandated curriculum.

Panellists: Dr Carly Sawatzki (Deakin University), Associate Professor Jill Brown (Deakin University), Dr Mandy Cooke (Deakin University), Ms Kerryn Sandford (Principal, Heathmont College & President of the Mathematical Association of Victoria).

Chair: Deakin Distinguished Professor Julianne Moss (Deakin University).

Teacher panel: translating into practice the lived experience of educators and teachers.

Drawing on their extensive lived experiences as educators and teachers, this panel will show how research and practice come together when balancing the diverse demands of a classroom or centre. The panel comprised of experienced teachers and educators will show how negotiating policy and teaching demands can be sustained with an ethic of care.

Panellists: Ms Jo Zampatti (Teacher, Holy Spirit Primary School), Ms Penny Harry (Deakin University), Ms Chantelle Trend (Ringwood North Primary School), Mr Mark Pryde (Ringwood North Primary School), Ms Nicola Weerakoon (Mulgrave Primary School).

Chair: Dr Lauren Armstrong (University of Tasmania).

Keynote speaker

Professor Dominic Wyse

Dominic Wyse is Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education at the Institute of Education (IOE), University College London and is known for his expertise in national curriculum policies, and his expertise in pedagogy, particularly the teaching of reading and writing.

His book ‘The Balancing Act initiative’ on the teaching of literacy includes prize winning research e.g. the theory of ‘The Double Helix of Reading and Writing’ (Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award).

He is the Founding Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy (0-11 years) (HHCP) a research centre with a focus on primary and early years education. Dominic was President of the British Educational Research Association (BERA) from 2019 to 2022. He is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS). From 2012 to 2018 he was an editor of The Curriculum Journal and prior to that an editor of the Cambridge Journal of Education.

Dominic’s experience at the IOE includes being Head of Department for what was the newly created Department of Learning and Leadership from 2012 to 2019, and prior to that Director of Research, Consultancy and Knowledge Transfer, in the Faculty of Children and Learning. Dominic has significant experience in music that began with his undergraduate studies at The Royal Academy of Music. Before joining the IOE Dominic was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cambridge. He was also made a Fellow of Churchill College Cambridge, Director of Studies for Education, and the first Director of Music-Making. Prior to this Dominic was a Reader at Liverpool John Moores University, and a teacher with experience working in London, Bradford and Huddersfield in infant and junior phases.

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Where

The NIKERI Institute, Building KC, Deakin University Geelong Campus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds.

When

9.30 am—4.00 pm Friday 11 July 2025.