In 2024 Emeritus Professor Colin Harrison led a report for the European Commission: - an analytical report based on a detailed literature review of the most recent European and international research on effective approaches to the teaching of literacy. This was made available to all 28 nations of the EU and has been well received and downloaded worldwide.
This month, Professor Harrison, a member of the Learning Sciences Research Institute, has been engaged in activities disseminating the findings of the report.
Promotion in Central and South America
On the 17 April 2026, Professor Harrison delivered a 45-minute webinar presentation as part of Harvard University’s to 1,100 policymakers and literacy specialists in 19 Central American and South American countries. As a result, ProLEER directors have asked the EC if they can have permission to translate the full report for distribution throughout South America.
Promotion in Romania
On 25 April 2026, as a guest of the Romanian government, Professor Harrison presented a plenary address on the report to the annual national literacy conference at the West University in Timisoara. This was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education as well as literacy and policy experts from all over Romania and Moldova. The day prior Professor Harrison had delivered a webinar on the report's findings, which was broadcast and recorded by the university. This was watched live by 1,600 teachers and policy makers, which again included senior figures from the Ministry of Education. Finally, Professor Harrison also recorded a one-hour televised interview on the findings of the report which will shared with other universities across Romania.
Professor Harrison presenting in Romania
Posted on Wednesday 29th April 2026