Ames Professor Selected for Oxford Literacy Summit
Iowa State's Jeanne Dyches will present at the 2027 World Literacy Summit at Oxford University, the only Ames speaker chosen.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Lecture and Seminars
Jeanne Dyches, a professor in Iowa State University's School of Education, was selected as one of 450 speakers from more than 85 countries for the 2027 World Literacy Summit at Oxford University, March 31 through April 3, 2027. She will present her work, 'Reimagining Disciplinary Dispositions Through Critical Canon Pedagogy.'
Why it matters
The summit is expected to draw about 1,600 delegates, and Dyches' selection places an Ames-based educator among its featured presenters. Her research on critical canon pedagogy addresses classroom literacy practice for secondary teachers.
Dyches has written several books on classroom literacy strategies, including 'Power Tools: Thirty Critical Disciplinary Literacy Strategies for 6-12 Classrooms' and 'Acts of Resistance.' Her 2021 Outstanding Book Award from the Society of Professors of Education is the most recent recognition listed.
The players
Jeanne Dyches
Dyches is a professor in Iowa State University's School of Education who previously worked as a high school English teacher and literacy coach and has authored several books on classroom literacy.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University is a public research university in Ames, Iowa, whose School of Education houses Dyches' faculty appointment.
Oxford University
Oxford University is a public research university in Oxford, England, and the host institution for the World Literacy Summit since 2012.
The details
Dyches developed critical canon pedagogy while working with a high school literature class and published the research in the Harvard Educational Review. Before entering higher education she worked as a high school English teacher and literacy coach. The summit includes 10 networking events.
Timeline
March 31 through April 3, 2027: 2027 World Literacy Summit at Oxford University
2021: Dyches received the Outstanding Book Award
2012: The summit began being held at Oxford University
Season Trajectory
Dyches' selection extends the research line she began in a high school literature classroom into an international forum at the same Oxford venue that has hosted the summit since 2012. Her presentation positions a single Ames-based educator within a global literacy conversation that spans more than 85 countries.
Local readers interested in classroom literacy can follow the summit's program to see when Dyches presents her work. The summit's 10 networking events give attendees additional opportunities to engage with speakers and researchers.
The takeaway
Dyches' selection shows that classroom-level research, such as her critical canon pedagogy work, can earn international visibility when it is published and recognized. Educators seeking practical literacy strategies can look to her published books for concrete classroom approaches.
What happens next
Dyches is scheduled to present her work at the 2027 World Literacy Summit at Oxford University, March 31 through April 3, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Lecture and Seminars coverage from Ames.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Iowa State Daily.
