FELA 2026: The Door to a Better World
By Jo Tregenza, UKLA President
In July, I had the privilege of representing UKLA at the annual FELA Conference in Ljubljana, a gathering that brought together literacy researchers, educators, and advocates from across Europe and beyond. What stood out most was the strength of UKLA’s presence, not only through our contributions, but through the leadership and generosity of our International Ambassadors, whose work continues to shape literacy conversations globally.
Alyson Simpson: UKLA International Ambassador and Keynote Speaker
One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote delivered by Professor Alyson Simpson, UKLA International Ambassador and a long‑standing friend of the Association. Alyson’s keynote was a masterclass in intellectual generosity, weaving together global research, classroom practice, and the deeply human dimensions of literacy.
Her keynote explored how literacy learning is always situated within relationships, identities, and communities, themes that resonate strongly with UKLA members. She drew thoughtfully on Professor Teresa Cremin’s work on reading for pleasure, emphasising the importance of:
– Reading communities that nurture belonging
– Teacher identity as reader, and the modelling of authentic reading lives
– Children’s agency, choice, and interpretive freedom
– Dialogic engagement as central to meaning‑making
Alyson reminded us that literacy is not simply a set of skills but a social, cultural, and affective practice, a message that aligns powerfully with UKLA’s values. Her keynote was met with warmth, admiration, and deep appreciation from delegates, and it was clear that her contribution elevated the entire conference.
It was wonderful to have listened to Alyson talk about their Shadowing Awards whilst at the UKLA International Conference in Glasgow and then hear on a different stage with a different presentation. For UKLA, Alyson’s leadership on the international stage is invaluable. She embodies the spirit of our Association: principled, research‑informed, and committed to literacy as a human right.
I was pleased to contribute to the conference by sharing insights from my doctoral research, which examines children’s reading identities, the sociocultural contexts that shape them, and the tensions between policy, practice, and children’s lived experiences. Delegates were particularly interested in the metaphorical and thematic frameworks underpinning the study, which I hope to be able to present in further articles soon.
The conference was organised and led with exceptional skill by Veronika Rot Gabrovec, UKLA’s International Ambassador for Slovenia. Veronika’s leadership was characterised by professionalism, humour, and a deep commitment to fostering international collaboration. Her ability to create a welcoming, intellectually vibrant environment was widely praised.
Veronika’s work exemplifies the importance of international partnerships in literacy education. She has built bridges between UKLA and Slovenian literacy communities, and her stewardship of the conference demonstrated how global dialogue enriches all of our work. We are so lucky to have her as an ambassador.
Another UKLA member contribution came from Kerry Assemakis of St Mary’s University, who presented early findings from her doctoral study on children’s experiences of crafting visual texts.
Her research highlights:
– The growing importance of visual literacy in a multimodal world
– Children’s sophisticated use of colour, symbolism, and character expression
– The value of arts‑based, participatory methods
– The ways children draw on film, picturebooks, and everyday visual cultures
– The empowerment children feel when writing through visual modes
Kerry’s work is timely, compelling, and deeply relevant to UKLA members. It reinforces the need for literacy pedagogies that embrace multimodality and recognise children as authors, interpreters, and creators in a visually saturated society.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the conference was witnessing the impact of Slovenia’s 13‑year national reading strategy, which is transforming reading into a visible, celebrated part of everyday life.
Across Ljubljana, it was impossible not to notice:
– People reading books in cafés
– Dedicated reading spaces on buses
– Public signage promoting reading
– A culture that treats reading as communal, joyful, and socially valued
This national commitment offers a powerful model for countries seeking to embed reading into the fabric of daily life. It was a reminder that literacy thrives when it is supported not only in schools, but across society.
The FELA Conference was a testament to the strength of UKLA’s international presence. From Alyson Simpson’s keynote to Veronika Rot Gabrovec’s leadership and Kerry Assemakis’s research, UKLA members and ambassadors continue to shape literacy conversations across Europe and beyond. Our international work is not an add‑on, it is central to who we are as an Association committed to literacy that is inclusive, relational, multimodal, and joyful.
Do watch out for their next conference which will be in Iceland in 2028 https://www.literacyeurope.org/reykjavik-2028. Like the UKLA conferences, it is a truly warm and welcoming space to present your work.