Past events
Upcoming events
24 March 2024
Teaching Matters
Catholic Education Tasmania
This conference, tailored for teaching professionals, leaders and educators, showcases innovative pedagogical approaches founded in the Science of Learning.
5 June 2024
The Science of Learning in English - Blended Learning Experience
AIS NSW
This course is aimed at English teachers wanting to upskill so that they can deliver the new English syllabus in a way that maximises student learning.
Delivered in three sessions, online and in-person.
10 July 2024
AATE/ALEA National Conference 2024
Australian Association for the Teaching of English / Australian Literacy Educators’ Association
Your next chapter awaits with possibility, aplenty.
Inspired by Kirli Saunders' poem, our National Conference theme looks towards the future with hope and optimism.
24 August 2024
researchED Newcastle
researchED
Connect with leading researchers, academics, classroom practitioners and school leaders in Newcastle, Australia’s best kept secret.
30 August 2024
A Matter of Translation Conference 2024
Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)
A Matter of Translation allows teachers to share their practice with their colleagues. The goal is to assist teachers in connecting key advancements in current learning and behaviour research with their daily classroom practices.
6 September 2024
Educating Girls Symposium 2024
International Coalition of Girls Schools
Join colleagues from girls’ schools from around the globe at Westlake Girls High School in Auckland, NZ to network and share best practices.
21 September 2024
Sharing Best Practice Sydney 2024
Sharing Best Practice
A full day of premium evidence-based professional development and an opportunity to share insights on explicit teaching.
24 October 2024
AIS NSW Education Research Symposium 2024
AIS NSW
A must-attend event for educators looking to stay at the forefront of educational innovation and enhance their school's evidence-enriched culture.
25 November 2024
16th International Cognitive Load Theory Conference 2024
The University of Sydney, School of Education and Social Work
As researchers increasingly combine coginitive load theory with other theories of learning and instruction, it has evolved into an interdisciplinary theory. The conference will reflect this growing diversity of topics and research directions.
5 March 2025
Schools Summit 2025
The Sydney Morning Herald
A premier gathering of Australia’s foremost educators, thought leaders, and policymakers for insightful conversations.
22 March 2025
Sharing Best Practice Sydney 2025
Sharing Best Practice
A full day of premium evidence-based professional development and an opportunity to share insights on explicit teaching.
3 April 2025
Science of Learning Conference 2025
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
This exclusive conference is crafted for educators who are passionate about leveraging the latest research to enhance their teaching practices.
28 April 2025
Educating Girls Symposium 2025
International Coalition of Girls Schools
Join colleagues from girls’ schools from around the globe to network and share best practices. The program includes engaging keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, and hands-on workshops.
30 May 2025
Advancing Effective Education 2025
MultiLit
Join a host of national and international speakers over this two-day conference focusing on research, leadership and theory to practice in delivering effective instruction.
Latest articles
On explicit teaching and student behaviour
Wednesday 23 April 2025
There are some pretty convincing links!
On following the golden thread
Wednesday 2 April 2025
A chat with Professor Haili Hughes about Standards
On things that are better together
Friday 21 March 2025
The amplifying power of autonomy and structure
On three ways that AI won't democratise education
Friday 21 February 2025
It's the Matthew effect all over again
About Rebecca
Rebecca Birch is a teacher of English and Academic in Residence at a top 40 independent school in Sydney, Australia. After a successful career in advertising and fashion, she transitioned into education, working as a learning support officer in diverse settings while completing her teacher training.
She is a founding member of the Centre for Research in Schools at UNSW and a recipient of The Educator Magazine’s Most Influential Educator Award 2024. Rebecca has consulted for Ochre Education and presented on literacy nation-wide. She has presented at researchED and represented the profession at the Gonski Institute for Education.
Her research explores the link between explicit instruction and student wellbeing. She publishes widely, including a newsletter read by 4,000 subscribers across 83 countries.
Publications and media
- OpinionTransactional teaching: When paid on the clock our professional status is at riskEducationHQ 4 December 2025
- OpinionPuppy patting and mindfulness: whole-school programs have hidden costsEducationHQ 3 December 2025
- CommentThis Sydney school ditched screens for a week. Here’s what happenedSydney Morning Herald 16 November 2024
- OpinionPISA puzzle: should we celebrate our achievement in a skill that can’t be taught?EducationHQ 18 July 2024
- OpinionOn mathematics anxietyNomanis 17 July 2024