A teacher, researcher, literacy leader and award-winning author, Dr. Robin Bright's (BA '79, BEd '82, MEd '88) passion for how children develop as readers and writers has drawn her to a life of researching language and literacy development and instruction in young students.
As Alberta's education system continues to evolve, Bright's research responds directly to the needs, policies and classroom realities of the changing educational landscape and looks to provide teachers with actionable strategies for diverse learners, including English Language Learners (ELLs).
"I have always tried to act as a champion of teacher empowerment, by bridging research, policy and classroom practice, and offering teachers accessible, research-based strategies grounded in real-world experience."
Understanding the dimensions of literacy
A notable example of how Bright is carrying out this mission is through her book, Sometimes Reading is Hard, which emphasizes the importance of decoding skills, together with the other components that matter in teaching reading: fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Her writing also explores a new perspective of what literacy looks like, and how this concept can be applied to teaching reading on a daily basis.
"It has always been my goal to make research accessible to classroom teachers," says Bright. "In both my teaching and my writing, I attempt to demystify complex literacy theories and translate them into practical, inspiring ideas that preservice and inservice teachers can immediately apply."
Bright's research incorporates a human-centered approach that highlights the emotional and relational dimensions of literacy — demonstrating how trust, confidence and motivation are foundational to reading and writing development. As global understandings of social-emotional learning in literacy continue to emerge, Bright hopes this approach emphasizes the benefits of community, trust and dialogue in reading and writing instruction.
"Fostering joy, engagement and choice in literacy learning, alongside skill-building, cultivates authentic lifelong readers and writers."
Teachers of tomorrow leading the way
Focused on literacy development in young students, Bright's early research was inspired by her graduate studies advisor and former Dean of the ULethbridge Faculty of Education, Dr. Laurie Walker, a respected literacy scholar whose own work has significantly influenced language and literacy education in Canada. However, Bright attributes students' joy, honesty and enduring hope as the greatest source of inspiration for her research.
"Their voices, experiences and aspirations continually shape and energize my work, reminding me that at the heart of every inquiry are the lives and dreams of young learners."
Bright's research includes training and mentoring undergraduate students as interviewers to gather insights directly from children about their views on reading and writing.
"This experience not only enriched the research but also deepened the undergraduates’ understanding of the research process and students’ literacy development."
Using the findings, Bright collaborates with graduate students to co-author articles and provide them with opportunities to engage in academic writing and scholarship.
Watch Dr. Robin Bright's PUBlic Professor lecture: