Professor Rebecca Jesson

Dr Rebecca Jesson is Professor in literacy education at the Faculty of Education and Social Work. Rebecca's research is situated in schools and their communities in New Zealand and the Pacific. Her focus is on designing, with teachers, teaching and learning innovations that will improve the literacy learning experiences of students.

Rebecca studies the reciprocal relationships between research and teaching. Her studies highlight both the application of research in real world contexts and the application of real world craft to research through teacher decision making, co-design and partnerships. Her research is centred on literacy learning and teaching, and the power of writing. Rebecca is an advocate for children's literature and texts that represent Aotearoa New Zealand. As a former primary school teacher, she has taught across a number of schools and year levels, including Reading Recovery. Her Masters of Education (2001) research focussed on implementing critical thinking in the English curriculum. Her PhD (2010) research was situated in a schooling intervention, and explored differing models of professional development in teaching writing. Her ongoing research is focused on the interactional spaces between theory, research and practice. 


Qualifications:
PhD, MEd (First Class Hons), BA, DipTchg

Areas of Expertise:
Literacy teaching and learning, teaching and learning of writing, interventions in schools, Design Based Research

Distinctions/Honours:
Group Research Excellence Award, 2015
Cable Faculties Impact Award, 2021
Faculty of Education and Social Work Teaching Excellence Award 2024