Seeing Yourself in Stories
How representation and relevance shape young people's reading
Date & time
4 November 2026 | 10.00-13.30
Event format
Attend event in person
Event type
Workshop or training
Event topic
Education
Audience
Academic discipline
Education
Venue
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
Professional audiences
What's on offer?
In this professional development workshop for librarians, SENCOs, literacy coordinators, and other education professionals, we will share key research insights and evidence-informed strategies to implement in your own reading settings, helping address wider inequalities and support long-term social mobility.
What's it about?
How can the right books help children and young people become engaged readers?
Many families face financial barriers to accessing books, and some children grow up with few-or no-books at all.
When access to reading is already unequal, it becomes even more important that the books available in schools, libraries, and communities are inclusive and meaningful to the children and young people they serve.
Who's leading the event?
Dr Cathy Atkinson, Reader in Education and Child Psychology at The University of Manchester
Dr Nic Lester, Lecturer in the Psychology of Education at the University of Manchester
Dr Pippa Henstock, Educational Psychologist at One Education Ltd
Open to
Librarians, SENCOs, literacy coordinators, and other education professionals
Of particular interest to
Education professionals interested in improving access to reading
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