Events
Technology, Literacy and Education: A public symposium featuring keynote speaker Prof. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
Co-hosted by Drs. Janet Werker (UBC) and Henny Yeung (SFU) and featuring keynote speaker Prof. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, this event is part of an SSHRC Partnership Grant titled Ensuring Full Literacy in a Multicultural and Digital World. There will be a Q&A panel discussion after the keynote (see list of panelists below), followed by a reception with light refreshments.
Date and time: August 12, 2026 at 6:30pm
Location: Science Theatre, Science World
Questions: email Nympha Fontanilla
Register: via Eventbrite
About the symposium
As technology continues to transform how we learn, communicate, and access information, questions about literacy and education have never been more important. This symposium will bring together researchers, educators, and community leaders to explore these issues and discuss their implications for learners, families, and schools.
Why attend?
- Hear internationally recognised researcher Kathy Hirsh-Pasek discuss learning and technology.
- Explore how technology is shaping literacy and education.
- Engage with researchers, educators, and community leaders.
- Participate in a panel discussion and audience Q&A.
- Network with attendees from across education, research, and community sectors.
Keynote speaker
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek is professor of psychology at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. She has written 15 books and released 250+ publications, served as President of the International Congress for Infant Studies, was on the Governing Board of the Society for Research in Child Development, and is on the board of Zero to Three. Kathy is Encantos’ first Creator-in-Residence. Her team recently received a $19.98 million grant from the LEGO Foundation in support of her work on playful learning.
Meet the panelists
- Moderator: Alona Fyshe (University of Alberta)
- Carrie Demmans Epp (University of Alberta)
- Guofang Li (University of British Columbia)
- Jenny Thomson (University of Sheffield, UK)
- Nelly Fargeon (Digital Learning Helping Teacher, Abbotsford School District)
About Ensuring Full Literacy
“Ensuring Full Literacy is a team of Canadian and international scholars and industry, community and outreach partners working to bridge the many dimensions of literacy acquisition in our multicultural and digitally connected world. The goal of this project is to generate the scientific knowledge necessary to ensure full literacy – the deep text comprehension needed to succeed in our rapidly evolving knowledge economy – in increasingly diverse workspaces and communities. We aspire to translate this knowledge into practices, products, and services for all Canadians.”