Explore the full program for the 2026 VOLUME: National Reading Symposium.
Find out more about VOLUME and read full speaker bios here.
| Time (AEDT) | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 9.30am | Introduction | Jess Scully (MC) – Author, curator, citymaker Louise Stark – Hachette Australia & Australia Reads |
| 9.35am | Welcome to Country | Irene Morris – Wurundjeri Elder |
| 9.45am | Where are we now?: The state of reading in Australia An overview of the latest insights and statistics on reading in Australia | Anna Burkey – Australia Reads |
| 10.15am | Connection with self, connection with others Leading First Nations reading advocates come together to share insights from across academia, publishing and community engagement | Larissa Behrendt (Chair) – Chair, Writing Australia Ben Bowen – Indigenous Literacy Foundation Rachel Bin Salleh – Magabala Books |
| 11.00am | Break | |
| 11.15am | A global issue: International reading case studies Reading advocates and experts from Malaysia, Jamaica, and Singapore on how they’re tackling declining reading rates and effecting meaningful change | Latoya West-Blackwood – Jamaica Book Festival Ilyani Suhaimi – National Library Board of Singapore Adibah Omar – Malaysia Book City |
| 11.50am | Reaching new readers: Insights from the sector Success stories from across the publishing, bookselling and literary programming spheres on connecting with readers | Debbie Challis – Manchester City of Literature Alysha Farry – Hachette Australia Peta Granger – QBD Books |
| 12.05pm | Responding to research: Putting evidence into practice Reflecting on the adoption of the Understanding Australian Readers and Reaching Australian Readers reports, with practical tools for using research to inform ways to reach more readers | Anna Burkey – Australia Reads Breanna Wright – BehaviourWorks Australia |
| 12.35pm | Lunch Break | |
| 1.15pm | Literature in real life: Events, connection, and engagement Leading literary festival and event organisers discuss the importance of in-person live literature initiatives and how they connect readers, authors, books, and story. | Veronica Sullivan (Chair) – Melbourne Writers Festival Tamara Zimet – Sydney Writers Festival Bec Kavanagh – LitUp Andrea Lewis – Somerset Storyfest |
| 2.00pm | In community: Stories as a social agent Community organisers from the literary world and beyond share insights on how to bring people together around books and reading | Adele Walsh (Chair) – Library leader Shay Leighton – Tough Guy Book Club Teo Jing Xuan – Amplify Bookstore Amie Kaufman – YA author Chad Toprak – Game designer & curator |
| 2.50pm | Beyond the bubble: Insights for greater reach Marketing experts from outside the literary sector share effective programs, campaigns and approaches to changing consumer behaviour | Emily Copeland – Music Australia Shannon Crowe – Who Gives A Crap Tully Walter – Senior Strategist |
| 3.20pm | Break | |
| 3.30pm | Towards a decade of reading: Reflections from the UK Joanna Prior, Chair of the UK National Literacy Trust and CEO of PanMacmillan, is interviewed about the UK’s multi-pronged approach to the reading crisis: the challenges, the opportunities, and what Australia can take away | Joanna Prior – National Literacy Trust & PanMacmillan UK Anna Burkey – Australia Reads |
| 4.05pm | Building a reading nation: What’s next? Future opportunities, ideas and aspirations for growing reading rates in Australia | Jess Scully (Chair) Lilly Brown – Magabala Books Megan Daley – Your Kids’ Next Read Tim Jarvis – Fullers Bookshop Anna Burkey – Australia Reads |
| 4.30pm | Closing |
| Time (AEDT) | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 9.30am | Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country | Megan Daley (MC) – Educator, author, speaker Cathie Warburton – Australian Library and Information Service |
| 9.35am | Keynote: Andy Griffiths The 2026-27 Australian Children’s Laureate on the importance of books and reading for children, and how to engage more young readers Followed by Q&A with student interviewer, Samy Komali | Andy Griffiths – Author Samy Komali – Student Interviewer |
| 10.20am | Address: Deb Tsorbaris, National Children’s Commissioner of Australia Deb Tsorbaris, National Children’s Commissioner of Australia, speaks about children, reading, and wellbeing in a new address. | Deb Tsorbaris – National Children’s Commissioner of Australia |
| 10.35am | Kids in focus: Latest insights Australia Reads’ CEO, Anna Burkey, presents the latest statistics and insights into children and young people’s reading habits in Australia | Anna Burkey – Australia Reads |
| 10.55am | Break | |
| 11.10am | The early years: Books from the beginning Leading experts discuss opportunities and challenges for growing early years’ and family reading | Karys McEwen (Chair) – School librarian, bookseller, author Louise Denoon – State Library Queensland Alexandra Irving – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Alyson O’Brien – Little Book Press |
| 11.50am | Fun is fundamental: Recreation as key to lifelong reading Lightning talks exploring how to make reading more accessible and – importantly – enjoyable for all | Dr Emily Baulch – McKenzie Fellow, Children’s literature Queenie Chan – Writer-artist |
| 12.05pm | Breaking the language barrier: Reading in a multilingual country Experts from across the libraries, research and not-for-profit space explore multilingualism and reading | Dr Helen Adam (Chair) – Edith Cowan University Cindy Manfong – Indigenous Literacy Foundation Jane Stratton – Lost in Books Dr Jane Garner – Charles Sturt University |
| 12.35pm | Lunch Break | |
| 1.10pm | Opening the gates: Getting books into the hands of readers New ways to think about marketing books to children and their families | Tash Besliev – Simon & Schuster |
| 1.25pm | In their own words Young book lovers share their thoughts on books, reading, and getting more of their peers on board Supported by Simon & Schuster | Lili Wilkinson – Children’s & YA author Tina Le Rivar Archer Bailey Hoare Jacob Redhouse |
| 2.00pm | Teen readers: Opportunities, challenges, and moving beyond stereotypes Researchers, programmers and authors discuss what works (and what doesn’t!) in encouraging young people to read for pleasure | Bec Kavanagh (Chair) – Writer, literary critic, academic Shay Leighton – Tough Guy Book Club Dr Bronwyn Reddan – Researcher Ellie Marney – Author |
| 2.30pm | Break | |
| 2.40pm | Reading engagement at any age: Case studies and success stories Lightning talks presenting success stories in building children and young people’s reading engagement | Brittany Sutherland – Gippsland Grammar Jo Smith – Educator Sophie Reid – Fullers Bookshop |
| 3.00pm | Building a reading culture in schools: Creative approaches Bringing together case studies, research, and conversation to strengthen school reading cultures, and how to bring teachers, librarians, parents and children along | Jenny Ryan (Chair) – Reading Australia Margarida Castellano-Sanz – Universitat de València Alex Wharton – Teacher, academic Dr Margaret Merga – University of Southern Denmark |
| 3.45pm | Kids in Focus: Where to Next? Opportunities, ideas and aspirations for the kids’ lit sector in Australia | Megan Daley (Chair) Kristin Darell – Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation Sally Rippin – Children’s author Kirrin Sampson – Early Childhood Australia |
| 4.30pm | Closing |
The 2026 VOLUME: National Reading Symposium is made possible thanks to the support of Writing Australia.
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