# Event Details - **Event Name**: A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 10:00 am – Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 05:30 pm - **Event Description**: Be part of the conversation at the National Library of Australia (live or online) exploring the aims of education for now and the futureAbout this EventWhat is the Purpose of Education? Join us for a national conversation at the National Library of Australia Theatre in Canberra - LIVE.Register for in-person or online.Note. Online ticket holders will receive a Zoom link 24 hours prior to the event.This forum brings teachers, school leaders and researchers together to explore the purposes of education in challenging times. It explores the shared role that schools, universities and public institutions play in advancing the aims of education within a resilient and forward-looking Australia.Join us – including Professor Lisa Kervin AM, Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, Associate Professor David Rousell, Senator David Pocock, US Educator Jess Vance, educational leaders, teachers and researchers - for a day of interactive Q&As, panels, plenaries and spotlight talks to explore the outlook for education now and into the future. School educators, students and teachers represented include NSW Department of Education, Latham Primary School, Narrabundah College and Canberra Grammar School.Our panel of educators, leaders and scholars will consider:- What is education for?- What kind of education do we need in challenging times?- What role can the humanities and arts play within the new technological order?This research forum is co-hosted and co-funded by:Centre for Advanced Studies in Education (University of Canberra)Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) - Language/ Literacy and Arts in Education Practice Resarch Special Interest GroupsThe University of Canberra Vice Chancellor’s Centre of Public IdeasNational Library of AustraliaDr Kate HalcrowThis event is convened and co-funded by Dr Kate Halcrow from the University of Canberra. For all inquiries regarding this event, please contact: kate.halcrow@canberra.edu.auCreative Arts Practitioners: As a precursor to the national forum event, a creative practice research event will take place at the Australian Botanic Gardens face-to-face only the day prior. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/arts-in-practice-research-for-exploring-education-in-challenging-times-tickets-1988058618846Featuring: Creative-in-residence, Canberra graphic and sound artist, , has designed the poster concept and will debut original music at the conference. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/aae610a0-8996-11f1-b52d-e1892102ecff-rimg-w1200-h212-dcffffff-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/ab2d04b0-8996-11f1-b52d-e1892102ecff-rimg-w1200-h239-dcffffff-gmir.jpg Agenda?: 10:00 AM - 05:30 PMNational Forum: Full Day AgendaHost: Associate Professor Will Brehm (CASE, UC)Info: Dr Kate Halcrow convenor of the forum and Associate Professor Will Brehm will be leading and moderating panels across the day. This day is co-funded by two UC centres of research, the Centre for Advanced Studies in Education (CASE) and Centre of Public Ideas (CoPI), together with Australian Association of Research in Education (AARE), and the National Library of Australia. ?: 10:00 AM - 10:10 AMAcknowledgement and Introduction to the NLA and forumHost: Director General of the NLA, Alison Dellit?: 10:10 AM - 10:25 AMIntroductory short panel: What's the purpose of education? Host: Tim McNevin, Gallilee SchoolInfo: This panel is moderated by Dr Kate Halcrow?: 10:25 AM - 11:10 AMPlenary 1: Literacy Education in a Digital AgeHost: Professor Lisa Kervin AM, Monash UniversityInfo: Language and literacy education is being reshaped by a world where communication, knowledge, and participation increasingly occur with digital technologies and through digital platforms. Because literacy is shaped by experiences in school as well as in homes, communities and online environments, education much account for the full ecology of spaces where learners read, create, and critique meaning. In this plenary I examine young children’s out-of-school literacy practices across home and community contexts, revealing how their everyday digital engagements offer powerful insights for rethinking literacy education in more critical and expansive ways. Literacy learners must develop and practice literacies that help them navigate algorithmic environments, evaluate information, and participate ethically in networked spaces. In this context, literacy education must empower learners to question, create, and collaborate across diverse modes and media for a range of purposes. ?: 11:10 AM - 11:35 AMSpotlight on Literacy Education in Diverse ContextsHost: Tayla MacDonald, Latham Primary SchoolInfo: ALEA's Literacy partnership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders program and Leading with Inquiry. Moderated by Libby Baker, Australian Literacy Educators Association?: 11:35 AM - 12:35 PMQ&A Panel 1: What kind of literacy education do we need for the future?Host: Professor Pauline Jones, UoWInfo: This Q&A panel is moderated by Associate Professor Will Brehm (Fresh Ed Podcast/ UCanberra)?: 12:35 PM - 01:20 PMLunch?: 01:20 PM - 02:10 PMPlenary 2: Rethinking the Purposes of Education for Regenerative FuturesHost: Associate Professor David Rousell, RMIT MelbourneInfo: This plenary includes time for audience questions, moderated by Dr Kate Halcrow?: 02:10 PM - 03:05 PMQ&A Panel 2: How might we reimagine education and schooling?Host: Associate Prof Ann Hill, University of CanberraInfo: This Q&A panel is moderated by Associate Professor Will Brehm (Fresh Ed Podcast/ UCanberra)?: 03:05 PM - 03:20 PMAfternoon tea break?: 03:20 PM - 04:05 PMPlenary 3: Some thoughts on the future of educationHost: Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, University of CanberraInfo: This plenary includes time for audience questions, moderated by Dr Kate Halcrow?: 04:05 PM - 05:05 PMQ&A Panel 3: What is the future for education?Host: Kimiya Almasi, Y12 student Narrabundah CollegeInfo: This Q&A panel is moderated by Associate Professor Will Brehm (Fresh Ed Podcast/ UCanberra) and will also feature Independent Senator for the ACT, David Pocock?: 04:05 PM - 05:05 PMQ&A Panel 3: Special Guest Independent Senator David Pocock Host: David Pocock, Independent senator for the ACT?: 05:05 PM - 05:15 PMClosing Plenary: The Purpose of Education in Challenging TimesHost: Professor the Honourable Bill Shorten UC Vice Chancellor?: 05:15 PM - 05:25 PMForum wrap up, special thanks and group photo - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/canberra/a-national-conversation-live-from-the-national-library-of-australia/100001987251331227 - **Event Categories**: nonprofit, business, art, contests, theatre, conferences - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 2 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: all_ages - door_time: 2026-07-27T23:45:00Z - Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes - Location: National Library of Australia - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: AUD ## Event venue details - **city**: Canberra - **state**: CT - **country**: Australia - **location**: National Library of Australia - **lat**: -35.2966239 - **long**: 149.1298218 - **full address**: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra, Australia ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/5278b85e63bd746a69690e75db075c1ef03024b42d1cf968a01b879edec0fa38-rimg-w1200-h509-dcfcfbf6-gmir.jpg?v=1776055147 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia being held? - **A:** A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia takes place on Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 10:00 am to Tue, 28 Jul, 2026 at 05:30 pm at National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Canberra, Australia. - **Q**: Who is organizing A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia? - **A:** A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia is organized by AARE Language and Literacy SIG. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** A national conversation live from the National Library of Australia is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Canberra, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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