2026 Practitioner Day
Connecting Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum. Join us on July 15, 2026, in Rotterdam for a day of evidence-informed literacy education.
2026 Practitioner Day
Date: July 15, 2026
Location: Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam
Time: 10:30 – 17:00 (followed by the SSSR Welcome Reception)
The 2026 Practitioner Day of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR) is a premier professional learning event designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and classroom practice. Held immediately prior to the main SSSR conference, this event brings together local practitioners and international experts for an inspiring day focused on evidence-informed literacy education.
The 2026 Practitioner Day of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR) is a premier professional learning event designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and classroom practice. Held immediately prior to the main SSSR conference, this event brings together local practitioners and international experts for an inspiring day focused on evidence-informed literacy education.
About the Event
The programme features contributions from literacy researchers alongside local practitioners, highlighting both cutting-edge research and practice-based insights. The day is built around two central themes:
- The reading–writing connection
- The integration of literacy across all subject areas
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for a broad audience of literacy professionals, including:
- Primary and secondary school teachers
- Librarians and literacy coaches
- Teacher educators and researchers
- School leaders and policy-makers
Registration & Fees
- Registration Fee: €90
- What’s Included: Full access to all keynote and parallel sessions, morning and afternoon coffee/tea breaks, and a provided lunch.
- Capacity: Participation is strictly limited to 125 attendees to ensure meaningful interaction and dialogue.
- Welcome Reception: Attendees are invited to join the official SSSR Welcome Reception following the close of the program (separate registration/RSVP may be required).
Refund Policy
The refund deadline is June 5, 2026 (Friday). Refunds will be issued for the full amount minus a €25 administrative fee. No refunds will be processed after this date.
Practitioner Day Programme
Meet Our 2026 Practitioner Day Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Young-Suk Kim
Professor and Senior Associate Dean at the University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on language and literacy development, specifically the science of reading-writing connections and leveraging these connections to honor differences in learners.
Keynote Speaker: Paul van den Broek
Professor at Leiden University. An expert in the cognitive and neurological basis of reading comprehension, his keynote explores the vital interaction between reading with understanding and the role of background knowledge.
Parallel Session (Primary): Suzanne van Norden
Expert in writing education and author. Her session, "Lezen en schrijven om te denken en kennis op te bouwen," focuses on using literacy as a tool for thinking and knowledge construction in primary education.
Parallel Session (Secondary): Moniek Vis
Literacy specialist and researcher. She presents on "Genregericht, samenhangend lees- en schrijfonderwijs in de praktijk," focusing on genre-based, cohesive literacy instruction for secondary students.
Parallel Session (Primary): Suzanne Bogaerds-Hazenberg
Researcher at Utrecht University. Her session, "Tekststructuur als kapstok," provides primary teachers with practical strategies for using text structure to help students navigate informative texts across all subjects.
Parallel Session (Secondary): Edith Alkema
Specialist in secondary literacy. Her session, "Leren bij de schoolvakken," focuses on the integration of writing-to-learn and reading-to-write strategies within specific subject areas.