FoE - Learning Intervention

We are excited to share that the University of Melbourne and the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (La Trobe) are co-hosting the Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) conference on 3rd and 4th December at the University of Melbourne Faculty of Education. Although this is one of the premier autism research conferences in Australia and New Zealand, it is also designed to be an inclusive space for people from all professions/backgrounds.

The ASfAR conference brings together researchers, clinicians, Autistic people, and allies from across Australasia and beyond. This conference explores all aspects of autism research from basic science to lived experience, practice-based evidence, and policy, including education.

🔬 If you are a teacher-researcher and would like to submit an abstract, submissions close this Friday (10th July): https://airtable.com/appqffsK8jz6EN5RI/pagnQ6N3f3gnrzkGn/form

🎟️ Tickets will be available soon if you would like to attend - keep an eye on the official website for more information: https://asfar.org.au/asfar-conference-3-4-december-2026/

ASfAR Conference 3-4 December 2026 – ASfAR – Australasian Society for Autism Research ASfAR Conference 3-4 December 2026 5 March 2026   ASfAR 2026 Conference Abstract submissions are now open for the ASfAR Annual Conference 2026! The ASfAR Annual Conference brings together researchers, clinicians, Autistic people, and allies from across Australasia and beyond. We welcome submissions...

Upcoming event:

⏰Down Syndrome Victoria is proud to present the Authentic Inclusion in Schools: 2026 Program – Down Syndrome VIC on Monday 2 March in Abbotsford, Melbourne.

🔬The conference will feature expert speakers, practical strategies, and resources to better understand Down syndrome and how students with intellectual disability can be supported in school and how to foster true inclusion.

🍿Topics include planning for a universally designed curriculum and how to implement effective behaviour support and you will also hear from young adults with Down syndrome.

🎓Tickets are available to students at a discounted rate.
We also offer conference recordings for purchase, so attendees can access the content at their convenience.

🔗More information and registration:

Authentic Inclusion in Schools: 2026 Program Authentic Inclusion in Schools 2026 will present a range of practical strategies from a series of leaders in the education […]

Pam Kastner is always great at summing up key takewaways
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17cY7Xgzd7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

This is a compelling article on Substack from Carl Hendrick about Artificial Intelligence. I am posting just a few of the statements that stuck with me.
Read it all here: https://carlhendrick.substack.com/p/the-algorithmic-turn-the-emerging

It is never too late to make a difference

www.kyreadingresearch.org

An opportunity to learn more about supporting diverse learners and how schools are making sustainable changes to practice!
More information about individual sessions use the tinyurl at the bottom of the picture!

An opportunity to come along to Sharing Best Practice Melbourne and hear a range of great presentations around sustainable change and implementation, case studies from schools and catering for all the learners in your classroom.

Providing access to literacy for all students

Every student deserves access to evidence-aligned reading instruction, including students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In this month’s sneak peek article in The Reading League Journal, “Where to Begin: Essential Knowledge for Educators About Reading Instruction and Supports for Students With IDD,” Drs. Esther R. Lindström and Jennifer Stewart outline five foundational areas that empower educators to deliver inclusive, effective literacy instruction:

✔️ What to teach
✔️ How to teach it
✔️ Examples of structured, practical lessons
✔️ Adaptations that support access
✔️ How to uphold expectations without compromising equity

🔗 Don’t miss this must-read to strengthen your commitment to literacy equity: https://hubs.la/Q03px0vd0

📬 Want more peer-reviewed insights like this delivered to you throughout the year? Subscribe to the Journal today: https://hubs.la/Q03px0GB0

Excited to share a new set of resources for school attendance. Working with AERO, we undertook rapid literature reviews examining factors pertaining to school attendance and evidence-based supports.

www.edresearch.edu.au

On Thursday 14 November, Dr. Matt Harrison, Dr. Sarah Timperley and Dr. Jessica Riordan hosted the first-ever University of Melbourne 'Celebrating Neurodiversity Research Symposium'.

Part of the Learning Intervention group, the Neurodiversity Project (UoMNP) is a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary initiative which aims to better support the neurodivergent community.

Over 20 researchers across the institution, many with lived experience, shared their neurodiversity-affirming research. Speakers came from almost every faculty and from all career stages.

The Symposium brought together neurodivergent staff, students, volunteers, as well as supporters from across the university and public.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell and Pro-Vice Chancellor Elaine Wong presented the closing and opening address. Prof Jim Watterson, Dean Faculty of Education also attended in support.

A selection of recordings from the Symposium will be available to watch on the UoMNP website: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/ovg8

Thank you to Matt, Sarah, Jess and the UoMNP community for hosting this interactive and compelling research event.

On Thursday 24 October, the Faculty of Education held the 2024 Education Research Conference at Arts West, Parkville campus.

Learning Intervention staff presented at the conference, sharing their research on a range of topics such as braille literacy, gaming as a tool for neurodiverse students, successful school attendance programs and creative arts for the middle years.

The closing panel featured A/Prof Jon Quach, Prof Kate Reynolds, Katrina Lawrence-Honeycombe and Dr. Cristina Guarrella. The panellists shared their experiences in education research and provided insights to the conference theme: ‘What makes research remarkable? Who and what matters?’.

Thank you to the Melbourne Education Research Institute (MERI) and the Faculty of Education for hosting this event and all researchers for presenting their research achievements and provoking conversations.

The University of Melbourne