Professional Profile

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." (Albert Einstein) 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: di.laycock@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-di-laycock-64086310a/

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

2018 Doctor of Education (EdD), Faculty of Arts and Social Studies. University of Sydney.

2003 Master of Education (MEd) with Distinction (Teacher Librarianship), Charles Sturt University

Diploma of Education (DipEd), University of Sydney

Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Hons), University of Sydney

AWARDS

2016 Hawley-Jarvis Award for Services to Boys' Education. International Boys' Schools Coalition https://www.theibsc.org/conferences-events/2016-annual-conference/hawley-jarvis-award

2008 Teacher Librarian of the Year. Australian School Library Association (NSW).  

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS

2022 - Present: Editor, Scan, NSW Department of Education

2021 - Present: Editor, Action Research Program, International Coalition Girls' Schools 

2021 - Present: Facilitator, Research Special Interest Group, School Library Association of NSW

2018 - Present: President, School Library Association of New South Wales

2016 - Present: Editor, Action Research Program, International Boys' Schools Coalition

2019 - 2020: Teaching & Learning Leadership Team - Leader of Professional Programs, The King's School, Sydney

2018 -  2019: Chair, National Boys' Education Conference, Chair, King's Institute Research Symposium, The King's School, Sydney

2015 - 2022: Head of Information Services/ Teacher Librarian, The King's School, Sydney 

2015 -  2021: Board Member, International Boys' Schools Coalition (IBSC); Member, IBSC Research sub-committee

2007 - 2016: Program Leader, IBSC Action Research Program

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2022 (July) - Present: Scan Editorial Team | Online Implementation Support | Teaching Quality and Impact Directorate | NSW Department of Education.  https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/scan

2022 - Present: Freelance School Library Consultant

2015 - 2022 Head of Information Services/ Teacher Librarian, The King's School, Sydney

2003 - 2014 Teacher Librarian, Barker College, Sydney

2003-2006 Adjunct Marker, School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University

Pre 2003: Classroom Teacher (Geography, Legal Studies, Drama, PDHPE), various rural and metropolitan secondary schools

Tutor (Geography), University of Sydney

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

2022

Presentations:

Curating and Collaborating with Graphic Novels and Manga [webinar]. Primary Libraries: Creative Collaboration. August 4th.

Graphic Novels in Secondary Schools, Racing Towards New Futures, Teacher Librarian Professional Community, 26th May. 

Publications:

Sly, C., Laycock, D. & Kenny, T. (2022). In the rear-view mirror: 40 years of Scan. Scan, 41(7), 4–9.

2021

Presentations:

Boys' Reading in the Digital Environment. IBSC Ideas Lab for School Librarians. [Facilitator]. 28 October.

Reading for Learning: Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity Through the Library Collection. IBSC Ideas Lab for School Librarians. [Facilitator]. 21 October.

Practitioner Research in the School Library. IBSC Ideas Lab for School Librarians. [Facilitator]. 14 October

Microcredentialling for School Libraries. Digital Design & Delivery: Using Digital Technologies to Support Reading Programs. School Library Association of New South Wales Conference. 5th September.

Persepolis. [Online Lecture]. Concordia College, Adelaide. 13th August.

Reading for Learning: Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity Through the Library Collection. IBSC Ideas Lab for School Librarians. [Facilitator]. 2 June. 

Navigating the Media Landscape: Empowering Boys as Informed Citizens Through Media Literacy Initiatives. IBSC Ideas Lab for School Librarians. [Facilitator]. 12 May. 

Practitioner Research in the School Library. IBSC Ideas Lab for School Librarians. [Facilitator]. 21 April.

2020

Presentations:

Boys and Reading [Contributor to online course]. International Boys’ Schools Coalition.

Graphic Novels as tTxts: "It was harder to teach than I thought." [Webinar]. 26 May.  School Library Association of NSW.

2019

Presentations:

Looking In, Reaching Out: The IBSC Action Research Program. 18 January. Eton College, Windsor England.

Action Research & the Role of the Mentor [full-day workshop]. 29 March. Scotch College, Melbourne.

Kickstarting Action Research in your School library [webinar]. 22 October. School Library Association of NSW.

Publications:

Pilgrims in a Foreign Land: Teachers Using Graphic Novels as Classroom Texts. SCAN 38(2). https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/scan/past-issues/vol-38--2019/pilgrims-in-a-foreign-land-teachers-using-graphic-novels-as-classroom-texts

2018

Presentations:

Student Action Research Program (SARP) [3-day workshop]. 26 - 29 April. Welham Boys' School, Dehra Dun, India.

The Power of Practitioner Research. Future Libraries Congress - EduTech Australia. 7 - 8 June. Sydney.

Breakout in the Library. Making Connections, Engaging Learners. School Library Association of NSW Conference.  20 October. State Library of NSW, Sydney.

Publications:

Laycock, D. & Ross, T. (2018). The TKS Maker Place: It's in their hands. Access, 32(3), 12-16. 

2017

Presentations:

Making at TKS. Challenge to change. ASLA National Conference. 13-14 July. Sydney.

Beyond Books. International Boys' Schools Coalition Annual Conference. 25-28 June. The Shore School. Sydney.

Engaging Hearts, Heads, and Hands in the TKS Maker Place. National Boys' Education Conference. 8-9 October. The King's School, Sydney.

The Post-Grad pilgrimage. TKS Research Symposium. 23 October. The King's School, Sydney.

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2017). Pilgrimage to a Foreign Land: The Lived Experience of Teaching with Graphic Novels in  the Secondary English Classroom https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/17250/2/laycock_dp_thesis.pdf (doctoral thesis). University of Sydney. Sydney.

2016

Presentations:

Graphic Novels to Promote Global Citizenship. International Boys' Schools Coalition Annual Conference.  26-29 June. Vancouver.

2015

Presentations:

Making to build character. National Boys' Education Conference. 6-7 October, The King's School.

2014

Presentations:

Panel Power: Graphic Novels in the English classroom. English Teachers' Association Queensland  Seminar Series. 31 May, Brisbane Grammar School. 

Bring it Alive with Thinglink. TeachMeet presentations. 5 May (St Ignatius College), 13 May  (William Clarke College)

Voices from the Classroom: Teaching with Graphic Novels. Anticipating New Territories: AATE/ALEA National Conference. Darwin. 9-12 July. 

2013

Presentations:

Graphic Novels: Different texts for Different Times [Lecture]. University of Notre Dame.  Sydney. 14 March.

Picture This: Growing Character Development in Boys Through Graphic Novels.  [Lightning Session]. Brother     to Brother: International Boys' Schools Conference. Richmond, VA. 30 June - 3 July.

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2013). Teaching with Graphic Novels: It's Okay to be an L-Plater. Magpies. 28(2) May.

Laycock, D. (2013). Keep Watering the Rocks. [Blog post]. Comics Forum. 20 Sept. 

    http://comicsforum.org/2013/09/20/keep-watering-the-rocks-by-di-laycock/

2012

Presentations:

Curation is the New Black. (Micro-presentation). TeachMeet. Redfern, Sydney. 3 March.

Visual Literacy & Graphic Novels. [Lecture]. University of Notre Dame. Broadway, Sydney. 5 - 6 March.

Action! Research! Reading. [Joint presentation with Linda Gibson-Langford]. AIS Teacher Librarians' Conference. Sydney. 1 June.'Teacher tales from the graphic novel classroom. [Paper]. Comics Rocks: Third International Comics Conference. Bournemouth University, UK. 28-29 June.

Visual Literacy, Graphic Novels & Maus. [Lecture]. St Pius X College. Chatswood, Sydney. 30 July.

Data Collection: What do you Want and How do You Get it. [Mini-presentation]. Capture the evidence: Shout it out!: SLA NSW Action Research Day. 15 September.

Telling Tales: Voices from the Graphic Novel Classroom. [Joint presentation with Alex Wharton]. Five Bells: English Teachers' National Conference. 3-4 October.

Organise your Research life. [presentation]. Barker College Research Forum. 9 October.

Voices from the Classroom: English Teachers' Experiences with Graphic Novels as Text.' [Presentation]. Higher Degree Research Students' Forum. University of Sydney. 25 October.

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2012). Creativity: Our Leading Edge. iLeader. SLA NSW. pp. 12-13.

Laycock, D. (2012).'Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire. iLeader. SLA NSW. pp. 7-8.

2011

Presentations:

Graphic Novels. [workshop]. Marist Teacher Librarians' Group, Catholic Education Office, Leichhardt. 23 May.

Different Texts for Different Times. [Paper], Inspiring Boys, Inspiring Schools, International Boys' Schools Coalition Annual Conference, London,  8-10 July. http://www.theibsc.org/page.cfm?p=1436 

Engaging the Eye Generation: Graphic Novels in the English Classroom. [Paper]. Making Connections that Count: English Teachers' Association (NSW) Annual Conference, Redfern, Sydney. 5 August.     http://www.englishteacher.com.au/Events/MakingConnections.aspx>

Publications:

RSS, info@asla - newsletter of ASLA (NSW), regular column (x4 p.a.)

Higher Research Degree Student of the Month. August. http://fdp.edsw.usyd.edu.au/users/dlaycock

2010

Presentations:

Different texts for different times. [Paper]. New Literacies, New Learning Conference. ASLA (NSW) State Library Day. Sydney.  27 February.

Action research. [Online workshop]. Toronto Action Research Group. August.

New literacies, new literature. [Paper]. Future Directions in Literacy Conference. University of Sydney. 4 September.

Action research in boys' schools. ALARA World Congress. Melbourne. 6-9 September. [Joint paper with Margot Long]

Graphic novels: Different texts for different times. [Paper]. Libraries Lighting and Leading the Way  Conference. Catholic Education.  Wollongong. 22 November.

Building a community of inquirers. [Keynote address]. Libraries Lighting and Leading the Way Conference, Catholic  Education Office professional learning day, Wollongong. 22 November.

Publications:

RSS. info@asla - newsletter of ASLA (NSW), regular column (x4 p.a.)

 2009

Presentations:

The alchemy of action research. [Workshop]. Barker Staff Conference. Barker College.27 April.

Comics in the classroom. [Workshop]. Barker Staff Conference. Barker College. 27 April.

Comics for leisure: Comics for learning. [Paper]. Just Picture This Conference. MANTLE (Maitland & Newcastle Teacher Librarian Association). Newcastle. 22 May.

Different texts for different times. [Featured address]. Seeing Things Differently Conference. School Library Association of Victoria. National Gallery Victoria, Melbourne. 22 November.

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2009).  RSS in info@aslansw - newsletter. ASLA (NSW). regular column (x4 p.a.)

Laycock, D. (2009). Wikitexts: Everything old is new again. info@aslansw. February. 10-11.

 2008

Presentations:

Graphic novels: The kapow factor. [Keynote address]. Leading Learning: Into the Research Conference. ASLA (Australian School Library Association) NSW, State Library of NSW, Sydney. 23 February.

Action research: By you, for you… for them. [Workshop]. Leading Learning: Into the Research Conference. ASLA NSW. State Library of NSW,  Sydney. 23 February.

Graphic Novels. [Workshop].  Let’s Get Together Conference. Northern Sydney Teacher Librarians' Network. Sydney. 11 March.

Graphic novels: The kapow factor. [Keynote address]. Media Meander: Crafting Readers and learner, Independent Schools Association of South Africa.  Pietermaritzburg. 9-11 April.

Web 2.0: The city that never sleeps. [Keynote address]. Media Meander: Crafting Readers and learner, Independent Schools Association of South Africa.  Pietermaritzburg. 9-11 April. 

Power of the pride. [Paper with Linda Gibson-Langdord]. Media Meander: Crafting Readers and learner, Independent Schools Association of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg. 9-11 April.

The archery of reading. [Paper with Linda Gibson-Langford]. Media Meander: Crafting Readers and  learner, Independent Schools Association of South Africa. Pietermaritzburg. 9-11 April.

Holy Cow, what’s with these graphic novels Batman? [Workshop]. Western Area Teacher Librarians’  Association, Dubbo. 19 September.

When worlds converge. [Paper]. Balancing the Differences: National Boy’s  Education Conference, The King’s School, Parramatta. 13 October.

Making a difference in boys’ learning…and knowing it. [Joint paper with Brad Adams], Balancing the  Differences:  National Boys’ Education Conference, The King’s School, Parramatta. 13 October. 

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2008). Managing decisions: Listen to the crowd. info@asla, 1, 3-5)

Gibson-Langford, L. & Laycock, D.  (2008).  The archery of reading. Access , 22 (2), 9- 13.

 2007

Presentations:

The Teacher Librarian and Literary Learning. [Workshop]. CSU Residential School. State Library NSW. Sydney. February.

Turnitin. [Departmental workshops].  Barker College. February/March.

Why Web2.0. [Workshop]. Barker Staff Conference. Barker College. 23 April.

Down the rabbit hole: Graphic novels in school libraries. [Paper]. AIS Literature Festival,.Barker College. 5 June.

Action Research. [Paper]. IBSC Annual Conference. Boston. June 23.

Starting Up Action Research in Boys’ Schools. [Pre- conference workshop with Mary Gauthier & Susan Droke].  IBSC Annual Conference.  Boston.  24 -27 June.

Graphic Novels: Collection development. [Workshop]. The King’s School. Parramatta. July.

Teaching for understanding. {Presentation to English Dept. with Penny Hood]. Barker College. July. Web2.0. [ASLA(NSW) Workshop. Wagga Wagga. August.

Graphic novels: trash or treasure? [Paper].Hearts on Fire: Sharing the Passion. ASLA XX Biennial Conference. Adelaide. October.                                             http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/issue_67/information_literacy,_web_2.0_and_graphic_novels.html

So They Can Fly: Building a Community of Inquirers. [Paper with Linda Gibson-Langford].  ACEL/ASCD  National Conference. Sydney. October. http://goo.gl/YB6wai

Graphic novels: The Kapow Factor. [Paper]. RIVPAT Conference, Wagga Wagga. November.

Action Research. [Workshop]. St Ignatius College, Lane Cove. December.

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2007). Getting Graphic: Using Graphic Novels to Engage Boys in School Reading. Access, 21(1), 13-17.

Laycock, D. (2007). Graphic Novels in the cCassroom. Viewpoint: on books for young adults, 15(2), 2-3.

Laycock, D. (2007).  Don’t Abandon the kKds. info@aslansw, 1, May, p.10.

Laycock, D. (2007).  Guerrilla Warfare-Web2.0. Info@aslansw, August, p.14.

Laycock, D. (2007). Teachers as Researchers. info@aslansw, October, pp. 13 – 14.

Laycock, D. & Free, J. (2007). Boys just wanna have fun. info@aslansw, 1, May, p. 6.

Free, J., & Laycock, D. (2007). Boys Just Wanna Read. The Boys in Schools Bulletin, 10(3), 24-25.

Gibson-Langford, L. & Laycock, D. (2007). CAR-TL: Community of Action Researchers – Teacher Librarians. Synergy, 5(2), 3-5.

 2006

Presentations:

Boys and Reading. [Research team presentation]. IBSC Annual Conference. Johannesburg. June.

Acknowledging Sources. [Workshop]. ASLA (NSW) Plagiarism Seminar. Tara School for Girls.  Parramatta. August.

Publications:

Laycock, D.  (2006). Report of an Action Research Project into Boys and Reading. AIS NSW Teacher Librarian  Newsletter,  Term 3,  3-4.

Laycock, D. (2006).  Boys get Graphic at Barker. The Barker: Magazine of the Barker College Community, 72, October, p.12.

 2005

Publications:

Laycock, D. (2005). Developing a Graphic Novel Collection, Synergy, 3(2), 50-53.

Presentations:

Making Meaning: Engaging Millennial Minds, (Joint workshop with Jenny Williams), Barker Staff  Conference. Terrigal. July.