Professor Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan from the School of Education’s Centre for International Education Research (CIER) recently contributed as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at the joint . The conference was hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), and took place in Sydney on 19 and 20 June 2026.
The conference brought together doctoral researchers from across institutions and countries, offering a supportive platform for presenting research, building connections, and engaging in discussion across areas of education.
Engaging early-career researchers through creative approaches
Professor Pithouse-Morgan led an interactive workshop titled What is a poem doing in a literature review? Reimagining scholarly literature reviewing through feedback poetry. Building on , the session introduced “feedback poetry” as an accessible way of engaging creatively and thoughtfully with academic texts.
Doctoral students responded with energy and openness. Many took up the invitation to experiment with unfamiliar forms of reading and writing, working both individually and collaboratively. The workshop created space for careful reading, reflection, and creative response, and participants showed a strong willingness to test new ways of thinking about their research practice.
The quality of engagement reflected the students’ capacity to work across methods and to approach their projects with curiosity and care. Their contributions during activities and discussions suggested both confidence and a readiness to take intellectual risks in a supportive environment.
Keynote highlights role of the arts in research
In her keynote, Arts-Based Educational Research: An Invitation to Add More Colours to Our Research Palette, Professor Pithouse-Morgan explored how arts-based approaches can support more responsive and connected ways of doing educational research.
She outlined how creative methods such as poetry, storytelling, and visual forms can help researchers attend to the emotional, relational, and cultural dimensions of educational experience. The keynote also addressed how such approaches can be understood and evaluated within academic contexts.
The session prompted thoughtful discussion among participants, especially doctoral researchers considering how to extend their methodological approaches. Many engaged actively in questioning and reflection, showing a clear interest in how arts-based methods might inform their own projects.
A collaborative and well-supported event
The conference was carefully organised and warmly hosted by colleagues from UNSW and EdUHK. The organising committee, including Professor Andy Gao, Dr Tanya Kwee, and Ms Teresa Poon, created a collegial and inclusive setting that enabled meaningful exchange.
Alongside Professor Pithouse-Morgan, keynote contributions from leading scholars Professor Andrew J Martin (University of New South Wales) and Professor Michelle Gu (The Education University of Hong Kong) added to a varied and stimulating programme. The event also included parallel sessions, informal discussions, and networking opportunities that supported both academic dialogue and community building.
Strengthening international connections in education research
Professor Pithouse-Morgan’s participation reflects the School of Education’s ongoing commitment to international collaboration and to supporting early-career researchers. The conference offered a valuable opportunity to connect with doctoral students and colleagues from different contexts and to contribute to conversations about how research can be conducted and communicated in inclusive and creative ways.
The enthusiasm and capability of the HDR students were evident throughout the event. Their engagement, alongside the thoughtful work of the conference hosts and organisers, contributed to a productive and encouraging experience for all involved.
Photo: Professor Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan (seated) with students attending her workshop
Posted on Monday 6th July 2026