The inaugural International Conference on Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (ICLCLE) brought together scholars, students and activists from around the world to the School of Education this month, all looking to advance language, literacy and culture in education. The conference took place from October 5-7 and featured keynote addresses, panel speakers, round table discussions, interactive workshops and poster sessions. Participants came from 35 states and 17 countries.

Goals of the conference included advancing knowledge about literacy, culture and language education, promulgating the use of research that improve and serve public good and encouraging innovative, scholarly inquiry, research methodologies and on-going discussions on literacy, culture and language education at local and global levels.

Serafín M. Coronel-Molina, Associate Professor in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, chaired the steering committee that organized the conference.

“Although students and faculty members participate at international conferences in different parts of the U.S., annually, more could be done to enhance the professional development of LCLE as a fraternity of scholars. Through the inaugural International Conference of Literacy, Culture and Language Education, we established ourselves as a department that promotes rigorous scholarly activities within and outside of the U.S.,” Coronel-Molina said.

“I have received a good number of very positive comments about the structure and the rich and diverse content of the conference from those who attended and presented at the conference,” he added.

Coronel-Molina plans to organize the second ICLCLE in two years.