Reading for pleasure is in decline – and unless we rethink how reading is experienced, this will continue to deepen inequality.

Join us for an afternoon of expert discussion, combining different cultural perspectives with the latest research insights to transform literacy aspirations into action.

Across two sessions, ‘Inequality and policy’ and ‘Rethinking reading’, panellists will explore the structural barriers affecting reading and literacy; the wider impact of low literacy on young people’s education and employment outcomes; how our experiences of reading evolves across different life stages; and what makes reading feel accessible – or inaccessible.

There will also be refreshments and an opportunity for networking at the end.

Panellists include:
– Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves, Senior Lecturer in Education at The University of Manchester
– Charlotte Hacking, Teacher Engagement Lead at UCL Institute of Education and former Learning and Programme Director at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE)
– Coral Rumble, award-winning children’s poet and author
– Sabine Little, Professor of Literacy and Multilingualism at The University of Sheffield
– Kya Buller, co-founder of The Read Room, a Manchester-based book club making reading more social and accessible
– Sophia Wild, co-founder of The Read Room, a Manchester-based book club making reading more social and accessible
– Matt Goodfellow, award-winning children’s poet and former teacher
– Nuala Reid, third-year English Literature with Creative Writing student at The University of Manchester