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The Joyce Morris Early Years Literacies Forum successfully coordinated a vibrant and thought provoking two day national conference, on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th July 2025. The conference brought together academics, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore contemporary issues in early childhood education, with a specific focus on three themes digital literacy, children’s wellbeing, and equitable early literacy practices.
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This conference showcased findings and workshops from our three key research projects and our practitioner led network
• TYKES (recognising digital literacies) led by Harry Dyer and Simon Hammond
• LITTLE MINDS (mindfulness to improve speech and language skills) led by Kate Russell and Kimberley Bartholomew
• ROMLIT (early literacy in Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children) led by Spyros Themelis
• RCTN (Reception Class Teacher Network) led by Eleanor Milligan
The three keynote panel presentations enabled principal investigators of each project to explore their research alongside three other specialists in the field, providing inspiring and interconnected presentations from a variety of perspectives. All three panels explored children’s rights, social perspectives and the role of adults. They also looked at possibilities for moving thinking and practice forward and were well received by the conference delegates.
Harry Dyer presented alongside Rosie Flewitt, Fiona Scott and Fiona Joines.
‘Very interesting. Important to recognise the influence of tech in the lives of our children and their digital 'funds of knowledge' to connect and engage with children and extend learning.’
Kate Russell presented alongside Aaron Bradbury, Viki Veale and Francoise Peill
‘Excellent, really gained an understanding of the project, how it was developed, put into operations and the findings. The panel extended understanding, themes that crossed. Emotional, moving, inspiring, health and wellbeing of both children and families, pedagogy and practices that support relationships.’
Spyros Themelis presented alongside Rebecca Mcwherter, Pauline Melvin-Anderson Julia Moore and Esther Genty Stubbs.
‘Moving - really eye-opening for me. I found this highly emotional and informative. The openness of our speakers was humbling. Also so translatable to other minority groups - importance of meaningful representation.’
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Uniquely this conference also featured a Practitioner’s Poster gallery, inspired by Lawrence Stenhouse’s concept of ‘teachers as researchers’ and utilising Harvard University’s Project Zero ‘Zoom’ format, early years educators from across the country presented a reflective poster on the impact of research in their settings.
‘The posters were very informative with some interesting topics and thinking outside the box. It was also great to meet the authors and hear how they came about.’
The two days provided a dynamic opportunity for exchange and collaboration. True to the Joyce Morris Forum’s mission, the conference was recorded and documented through professional videography and the use of padlet boards, which will be available via these webpages and promoted through social media channels, to ensure the ideas discussed reach the widest possible audience.
‘I really appreciated the clear focus of the conference. I felt I really got to understand the projects in great detail. The structure of the conference was well-organised and each aspect was meticulously planned. I have attended a few conferences and the attention to detail was impressive.’