Reading by Design

Creating reading opportunities for all through evidence-based research

Who are we?

Cognitive scientist Maryanne Wolf reminds us in the opening lines of her book, Proust and the Squid that human beings were never born to read, yet all too often, we may take the act of reading and the process of learning to read for granted. We believe that opportunities to read need to be intentionally created through provision of resources, design of both formal and informal of learning environments and training of those who support reading.

The Reading by Design initiative helmed by researchers and educators from the National Institute of Education, and in collaboration with the Curriculum Planning and Development Division at the Ministry of Education, aims to provide evidence-based research to help educators, researchers and the community to support engaged reading across the lifespan.

Recent Publications

  • Designing School Libraries of the Future Toolkit

    A toolkit introducing design thinking for school libraries, with a self-assessment tool and design walkthrough for schools to personalise their space.

  • Designing School Libraries of the Future Report

    Wellbeing, choice of learning environments, reading materials - a report on what teens want for their school libraries.

  • The Reading Lives of Teens: Research and Practice

    An edited collection sharing the latest international perspectives on adolescent reading habits and practices, and latest research methodologies.

    Buy
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Inspiration

Read about how our inspirational schools redesigned their school libraries to support reading.

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Resources

Looking to improve your school’s reading or library culture? Look to our resources for ideas.