Rate My Professor Diane Hansford

Diane Hansford is a Lecturer in English, Literacies and Language Education in the School of Education at the University of New England, part of the Education faculty. Her academic background includes a Diploma of Teaching from the Catholic College of Education Sydney, a Bachelor of Education from Sydney College of Advanced Education, a Graduate Diploma in TESOL from Sydney College of Advanced Education Institute of Technical and Adult Teacher Education, a Master of Educational Curriculum Studies from the University of New England Armidale, and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from the University of New England Armidale. Throughout her career, Hansford has held various positions in primary education in New South Wales. She worked as a classroom teacher and an English Second Language teacher in primary schools. Subsequently, she served as a Multicultural/ESL Advisor with the Catholic Education Office in Sydney. In 1990, she moved to Armidale to become a Curriculum Consultant K–12 for the Catholic Schools Office Armidale, supporting schools across the northwest region of New South Wales. At the University of New England, she is a key member of the English, Literacies and Language Education team and participates in the Centre for Research in English and Multiliteracies Education (CREME). Her teaching focuses on English and literacies education, preparing future educators in primary English, literacy, and EAL/D methodologies.

Hansford's research interests cover culture and learning, literacy education, English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D), Aboriginal education, digital technologies, and curriculum development. Notable publications include the chapter 'Showcasing Multilingual TESOL in Practice: Case Studies from a Regional Australian University' (2023), the article 'Education for Sustainability in Primary English Education' (2015), 'Digital spaces and young people's online authoring: Challenges for teachers' co-authored with Rachael Adlington (2009), and 'Evaluating online collaborative learning: A case study in increasing student participation' (2002). She demonstrates significant impact in the field through leadership roles as NSW State Director for the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) and President of the ALEA Northern NSW Local Council. In these capacities, she organizes professional development opportunities for English and literacy educators throughout northern New South Wales, enhancing pedagogical practices in the region.