Rowsell, Jennifer, Professor

Professor Jennifer Rowsell

BA (Hons), TEFL, MA, PhD

School of Education

Professor of Digital Literacy

Director of Research and Innovation

Photograph of Professor Jennifer Rowsell

J.Rowsell@sheffield.ac.uk

The Wave

Full contact details

Professor Jennifer Rowsell
School of Education
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
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S10 2AH

Profile

I am an interdisciplinary researcher who started out my scholarly career studying literacy from an ethnographic-multimodal lens that continues today. Having conducted many research studies for over 20 years with a range in ages from young children and their parents all the way to older adults, I investigate the ways that people engage in literacy practices across all aspects of their lives. I have had the privilege of researching in many primary and secondary schools in Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom and across a range of informal and formal contexts such as art galleries, addiction outreach centres, malls and shopping centres, churches, and pop-up makerspaces. For over a decade, I have focused more on digital literacy and, most recently on the notion of the post-digital. At the heart of my work is an enduring curiosity and passion for people’s stories about their lived literacy practices.

I had the honour of being a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair at Brock University which set me on a course of research to expand notions of literacy and learning beyond narrow definitions and tighter framings. I have written and co-written books, journal articles, chapters, and co-edited special issues on this line of inquiry.

Research interests: Post-digital spaces and practices; Affect and sensory approaches to research; Disruptive and craftivist pedagogies; Multimodality; Digital literacy; Digital pedagogies education; Algorithmic Reading Practices; Data literacies; Multimodal composition; Arts-based approaches to literacy research; Posthumanism and Sociomaterial theorising of literacy and learning.

Publications

Books

Tikly L, Mitchell R, Barrett A, Batra P, Pardo AB, Cameron L, Coles A, Juma ZR, Nunes NA, Paulson J , Reda NW et al (2024) Teacher Professionalism in the Global South A Decolonial Perspective.
Tikly L, Mitchell R, Barrett AM, Batra P, Pardo AB, Cameron L, Coles A, Juma ZR, Nunez NA, Paulson J , Reda NW et al (2024) . Bristol University Press.
TIKLY L, MITCHELL R, BARRETT AM, BATRA P, PARDO AB, CAMERON L, COLES ALF, JUMA ZR, NUNEZ NA, PAULSON J , REDA NW et al (2024) . Bristol University Press.
Rowsell J (2023) Introduction to part 2: Situating multimodality in the landscape of language research.
Burnett C & Rowsell J (2022) Introduction: Unsettling Literacies.
Lewis C & Rowsell J (2021) Series editor introduction.
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2020) Living Literacies Literacy for Social Change. MIT Press.
Perry M, Collier DR & Rowsell J (2019) Meso perspectives: Making it work on the margins.
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2019) Artifactual Literacies Every Object Tells a Story. Teachers College Press.
Rowsell J & Pahl K (2015) .
Saudelli MG (2015) . SensePublishers.
(2013) . SensePublishers.
Pahl KH, Grenfell M, Bloome D, Hardy C, Rowsell J & Street B (2011) Language, Ethnography, and Education: Bridging New Literacy Studies and Bourdieu. New York: Routledge.
Sheridan MP & Rowsell J (2010) Design Literacies: Learning and Innovation in the Digital Age.
Booth DW & Rowsell J (2007) The Literacy Principle. Pembroke Publishers Limited.
Booth D & Rowsell J (2007) The Literacy Principal, 2nd Edition Leading, Supporting, and Assessing Reading and Writing Initiatives. Pembroke Publishers Limited.
Kate P & Rowsell J (2006) Introduction.
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2006) Introduction.
Rowsell J (2006) Family Literacy Experiences: Creating Reading and Writing Opportunities that Support Classroom Learning. Pembroke Publishers Limited.
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2005) . SAGE Publications Ltd.
Rowsell J () The Comfort of Screens: Literacy in Post-Digital Times.
() . Routledge.
() . Routledge.
Rowsell J () . Routledge.
Rowsell J () . Routledge.
Nichols S, Rowsell J, Nixon H & Rainbird S () . Routledge.

Edited books

(Ed.) (2023) Postdevelopmental Approaches to Pedagogical Observation in Childhood..
Rowsell J, Lee C, Bailey C & Burnett C (Eds.) (2022) Unsettling Literacies: Directions for Literacy Research in Precarious Times..
Rowsell J & McLean C (Ed.) (2020) Maker Literacies and Maker Identities in the Digital Age: Learning and Playing through Modes and Media..
Rowsell J (Ed.) (2020) The Art and Craft of Literacy Pedagogy: Profiling Community Arts Zone..
(Ed.) (2020) The Bloomsbury Handbook of Reading Perspectives and Practices..
Morrell E & Rowsell J (Ed.) (2019) . Routledge.
Rowsell J & Morrell E (Ed.) (2019) Stories from Inequity to Justice in Literacy Education: Confronting Digital Divides..
Rowsell J, Kucirkova N & Falloon G (Eds.) (2019) The Routledge International Handbook of Learning with Technology in Early Childhood..
Rowsell J, Leung C, Castanheira ML & Bloome D (Eds.) (2018) Re-Theorizing Literacy Practices: Complex Social and Cultural Context..
Rowsell J, Westrup R, Priyadharshini E & Carrington V (Eds.) (2015) Generation Z: Zombies, Popular Culture, and Educating Youth..
Rowsell J & Pahl K (Ed.) (2015) The Routledge Handbook of Literacy Studies. Routledge.
Burnett C, Davies J, Merchant G & Rowsell J (Eds.) (2014) . Routledge.
Rowsell J, Kosnik C, Beck C, Simon R & Williamson P (Eds.) (2013) Literacy Teacher Educators: Preparing Student Teachers for a Changing World..
Rowsell J & Pahl K (Ed.) (2011) Major Works in Early Childhood Literacy..
Rowsell J & Abrams SS (Ed.) (2011) Rethinking Identity and Literacy Education in the 21st Century. National Society for the Study of Education Yearbook..
(Ed.) (2006) Travel notes from the new literacy studies: Instances of practice..
(Ed.) (2006) Travel Notes from the New Literacy Studies: Instances of Practice..
Sefton-Green J & Rowsell J (Ed.) () . Routledge.

Journal articles

Moles K, Anek F, Baker W, Komakech D, Owor A, Pennell C & Rowsell J (2023) . Futures, 153, 103224-103224.
Rowsell J & Dumoulin PG (2023) . Revue de recherches en littératie médiatique multimodale, 17, 106-106.
Sakr M, Rowsell J & Sherbine K (2023) Introduction. Postdevelopmental Approaches to Pedagogical Observation in Childhood, 1-8.
Kucirkova N & Rowsell J (2022) . Learning, Media and Technology, 47(3), 305-309.
Hand H, Rowsell J & Shillitoe M (2022) . Learning, Media and Technology, 47(3), 310-327.
Lee C, Bailey C, Burnett C & Rowsell J (2022) . International Studies in Sociology of Education, 31(1-2), 1-4.
Rowsell J & Abrams SS (2022) . Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 53(3), 280-297.
Ehret C & Rowsell J (2021) . Reading Research Quarterly, 56(2), 201-206.
Lemieux A & Rowsell J (2020) . Literacy, 54(3), 144-152.
Peppler K, Rowsell J & Keune A (2020) . British Journal of Educational Technology, 51(4), 1240-1245.
Hauge C & Rowsell J (2020) . Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 41(5), 667-672.
Downes T, Di Cesare DM, Gallagher TL & Rowsell J (2020) . Education and Information Technologies, 25(5), 4557-4574.
Cooke SJ, Nguyen VM, Anastakis D, Scott SD, Turetsky MR, Amirfazli A, Hearn A, Milton CE, Loewen L, Smith EE , Norris DR et al (2020) . FACETS, 5(1), 138-165.
Burgess J & Rowsell J (2020) . Language and Education, 34(2), 173-191.
Rowsell J (2020) . Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 63(6), 627-637.
Gallagher TL, Di Cesare D & Rowsell J (2019) . The Reading Teacher, 72(6), 774-778.
Rowsell J & Shillitoe M (2019) . British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(4), 1544-1559.
Abrams SS, Rowsell J & Merchant G (2017) . Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 119(12), 1-16.
Kuby CR & Rowsell J (2017) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 17(3), 285-296.
Leander KM, Aziz S, Botzakis S, Ehret C, Landry D & Rowsell J (2017) . Literacy Research: Theory, Method, and Practice, 66(1), 95-116.
Griffin SM, Rowsell J, Winters KL, Vietgen P, McLauchlan D & McQueen-Fuentes G (2017) A reason to respond: Finding agency through the arts. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 18, 1-23.
Rowsell J, Morrell E & Alvermann DE (2017) . The Reading Teacher, 71(2), 157-165.
Rowsell J (2017) . Pedagogies: An International Journal, 12(1), 1-3.
Rowsell J & McQueen-Fuentes G (2017) . Pedagogies: An International Journal, 12(1), 74-89.
Rowsell J & Vietgen P (2017) . Pedagogies: An International Journal, 12(1), 90-107.
Rowsell J, Burke A, Flewitt R, Liao H-T, Lin A, Marsh J, Mills K, Prinsloo M, Rowe D & Wohlwend K (2016) . The Reading Teacher, 70(1), 121-129.
Rowsell J & Wohlwend K (2016) . The Reading Teacher, 70(2), 197-205.
Kuby CR, Rowsell J & Gutshall Rucker T (2016) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 16(1), 3-7.
Rowsell J (2016) . Cambridge Journal of Education, 46(1), 81-96.
Gallagher TL, Fsher D, Lapp D, Rowsell J, Simpson A, Scott RM, Walsh M, Ciampa K & Saudelli MG (2015) . Journal of Education, 195(3), 15-25.
Hackett A, Pool S, Rowsell J & Aghajan B (2015) . Qualitative Research Journal, 15(4), 430-444.
Rowsell J & Harwood D (2015) . Theory Into Practice, 54(2), 136-146.
McLean CA & Rowsell J (2015) . Reading & Writing Quarterly, 31(2), 102-118.
Rowsell J (2014) . The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 37(2), 117-127.
Rowsell J (2014) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 14(2), 286-287.
Rowsell J (2014) . Text & Talk, 34(3).
Rowsell J, Pedersen I & Trueman D (2014) . Literacy, 48(1), 47-53.
Burnett C, Merchant G, Pahl K & Rowsell J (2014) . Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 35(1), 90-103.
Simpson A, Walsh M & Rowsell J (2013) . Literacy, 47(3), 123-130.
Rowsell J & Kendrick M (2013) . Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 56(7), 587-599.
McLean CA & Rowsell J (2013) . Teaching Education, 24(1), 1-26.
Rowsell J, Kress G & Street B (2013) . Visual Communication, 12(1), 97-122.
Prinsloo M & Rowsell J (2012) . Language and Education, 26(4), 271-277.
Rowsell J & Decoste E (2012) . Pedagogies: An International Journal, 7(3), 246-260.
Rowsell J (2012) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 12(2), 223-227.
Lapp D, Moss B & Rowsell J (2012) . The Reading Teacher, 65(6), 367-377.
Rowsell J, McLean C & Hamilton M (2012) . Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 55(5), 444-447.
McLean CA, Rowsell J & Lapp D (2011) Tupaq, katy perry, and schindler's list in the secondary English classroom: Assessing English in new times. English in Australia, 46(3), 6-20.
Nichols S, Nixon H & Rowsell J (2011) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 11(2), 107-113.
Rainbird S & Rowsell J (2011) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 11(2), 214-231.
Rowsell J (2011) . Qualitative Research, 11(3), 331-346.
Rowsell J (2011) . Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 113(13), 244-262.
Rowsell J & Abrams SS (2011) . Teachers College Record The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 113(13), 1-16.
McLean CA, Rowsell J & Lapp D (2011) Tupaq, Katy Perry, and Schindler's List in the Secondary English Classroom: Assessing English in New Times. ENGLISH IN AUSTRALIA, 46(3), 9-20.
Rowsell J & Burke A (2009) . Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 53(2), 106-118.
Nichols S, Nixon H & Rowsell J (2009) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 9(3), 367-368.
Rowsell J & Casey HK (2009) . Linguistics and Education, 20(4), 311-327.
Nichols S, Nixon H & Rowsell J (2009) . Literacy, 43(2), 65-74.
Burke A & Rowsell J (2008) . Changing English, 15(4), 445-456.
Rowsell J (2008) . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 8(3), 328-329.
Rowsell J, Kosnik C & Beck C (2008) . Teaching Education, 19(2), 109-122.
Burke A & Rowsell J (2007) . E-Learning and Digital Media, 4(3), 329-342.
ROWSELL J & PAHL K (2007) . Reading Research Quarterly, 42(3), 388-404.
Rowsell J, Sztainbok V & Blaney J (2007) . Language, Culture and Curriculum, 20(2), 140-154.
Beck C, Kosnik C & Rowsell J (2007) . The New Educator, 3(1), 51-73.
ROWSELL J (2003) . Changing English, 10(1), 59-72.
Colvert A, Rowsell J, Buxton A & Horton E () . Postdigital Science and Education.
McLean CA & Rowsell J () . Reading Research Quarterly.
Bramley R & Rowsell J () . Education 3-13, 1-14.
Rowsell J, Keune A, Buxton A & Peppler K () Seeking languagelessness: Maker literacies mindsets to disrupt normative practices. Reading Research Quarterly.
Rowsell J () Affecting Photos: Photographs as shared, affective ethnographic spaces. Qualitative Research.
Rowsell J, Arnseth HC & Ruiz Cabello P () . Learning, Media and Technology, 1-17.
Pool S, Rowsell J & Sun Y () . Multimodality & Society, 263497952311587-263497952311587.
Moles K, Baker W, Nono F, Komakech D, Owor A, Anek F, Pennell C & Rowsell J () . Journal of the British Academy, 11s3, 225-247.
Kuby CR & Rowsell J () . International Studies in Sociology of Education, 1-30.
Hauge C & Rowsell J () . Studies in Social Justice, 13(1), 1-9.
Gallagher TL & Rowsell J () . Articles, 52(2), 383-407.
Cook N, Doucet A & Rowsell J () . Studies in Social Justice, 11(2), 187-194.
Tabi E & Rowsell J () . Studies in Social Justice, 11(2), 275-297.
Rowsell J, Prinsloo M & Zhang Z () . Language and Literacy, 14(2), 1-1.
Pahl KH & Rowsell J () . Berkeley Review of Education, 2.

Chapters

(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 67-75). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 28-45). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 46-60). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 9-14). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. vi-vi). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 89-90). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 1-8). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 61-66). Bristol University Press
(2024) , Teacher Professionalism in the Global South (pp. 15-27). Bristol University Press
Shillitoe M, Hand H, Shepherd S, Squire W & Rowsell J (2023) Alone-Together: Exploring Children’s Material/Digital/Analogue Engagements through Intergenerational Research, Postdevelopmental Approaches to Pedagogical Observation in Childhood (pp. 119-139).
Rowsell J (2021) Storied matter: Research on young people's felt, sensed and storied designs, Visual and Cultural Identity Constructs of Global Youth and Young Adults: Situated, Embodied and Performed Ways of Being, Engaging and Belonging (pp. 158-177).
Ehret C, Johnston KC & Rowsell J (2021) Proposing a politics of immediation for literacy studies, or what is possible for literacy studies beyond critical theory's mediations?, The Handbook of Critical Literacies (pp. 411-418).
Rowsell J (2021) Envoi to Part I: Literacy Transitions as Distributed, Participatory Practice, Transition and Continuity in School Literacy Development (pp. 71-74).
Lemieux A & Rowsell J (2020) , Maker Literacies and Maker Identities in the Digital Age (pp. 187-205). Routledge
Lemieux A & Rowsell J (2020) , Transforming Language and Literacy Education (pp. 120-135). Routledge
Rowsell J & McQueen-Fuentes G (2020) , The Art and Craft of Literacy Pedagogy (pp. 74-89). Routledge
Rowsell J & Vietgen P (2020) , The Art and Craft of Literacy Pedagogy (pp. 90-107). Routledge
(2020) , Perspectives on Arts Education Research in Canada, Volume 2 (pp. 1-25). BRILL
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2020) , Working with Young Children in Museums (pp. 195-197). Routledge
Di Cesare DM & Rowsell J (2020) , Teaching Literacy in the Twenty-First Century Classroom (pp. 103-118). Springer International Publishing
Lemieux A & Rowsell J (2019) Taking a wide-angled view of contemporary digital literacy, The Routledge Handbook of Digital Literacies in Early Childhood (pp. 453-463).
Perry M, Collier DR & Rowsell J (2019) Reframing the digital in literacy: Youth, arts, and misperceptions, Stories from Inequity to Justice in Literacy Education: Confronting Digital Divides (pp. 71-86).
Perine CM & Rowsell J (2019) Making it work in the global south: Stories of digital divides in a Brazilian context, Stories from Inequity to Justice in Literacy Education: Confronting Digital Divides (pp. 185-202).
Rowsell J & Morrell E (2019) Introduction: Moving stories of inequity to stories of justice, Stories from Inequity to Justice in Literacy Education: Confronting Digital Divides (pp. 1-12).
Kucirkova N, Rowsell J & Falloon G (2019) , The Routledge International Handbook of Learning with Technology in Early Childhood (pp. 3-17). Routledge
Whitty P & Rowsell J (2019) REFLECTIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RESEARCH METHODS WITH CHILDREN, The Routledge International Handbook of Learning with Technology in Early Childhood (pp. 18-29).
Kucirkova N, Rowsell J & Falloon G (2019) INTRODUCTION, The Routledge International Handbook of Learning with Technology in Early Childhood (pp. 3-17).
Bloome D, Castanheira ML, Leung C & Rowsell J (2018) , Re-Theorizing Literacy Practices (pp. 237-244). Routledge
Rowsell J, Bloome D, Castanheira ML & Leung C (2018) , Re-Theorizing Literacy Practices (pp. 1-11). Routledge
Rowsell J, Kress G, Pahl K & Street B (2018) , Theoretical Models and Processes of Literacy (pp. 514-532). Routledge
McLean C, Prinsloo M, Rowsell J & Bulfin S (2017) , Handbook of Research on Teaching the English Language Arts (pp. 110-129). Routledge
Zaidi R & Rowsell J (2017) , Literacy Lives in Transcultural Times (pp. 1-14). Routledge
Rowsell J, Maues F, Moukperian S & Colquhoun C (2017) , The Case of the iPad (pp. 125-142). Springer Singapore
Di Cesare DM & Rowsell J (2017) , Encyclopedia of Educational Philosophy and Theory (pp. 1479-1485). Springer Singapore
Rowsell J & Collier DR (2017) , Research Methods in Language and Education (pp. 311-324). Springer International Publishing
Di Cesare DM & Rowsell J (2016) , Encyclopedia of Educational Philosophy and Theory (pp. 1-7). Springer Singapore
Rowsell J (2016) , Generation Z (pp. 101-113). Springer Singapore
Rowsell J & Collier DR (2016) , Research Methods in Language and Education (pp. 1-14). Springer International Publishing
Carrington V, Priyadharshini E, Rowsell J & Westrup R (2016) , Generation Z (pp. 1-7). Springer Singapore
Di Cesare DM, Harwood D & Rowsell J (2016) , Advances in Media, Entertainment, and the Arts (pp. 69-93). IGI Global
Heydon R & Rowsell J (2015) , The Routledge Handbook of Literacy Studies (pp. 454-471).
Rowsell J (2015) , International Handbook of Interpretation in Educational Research (pp. 423-440). Springer Netherlands
Rowsell J (2015) , Visual Methods with Children and Young People (pp. 17-28). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Rowsell J (2014) (pp. 196-199).
McLean C, Rowsell J & Lapp D (2014) , Cultural Studies and Transdisciplinarity in Education (pp. 159-173). Springer Singapore
Rowsell J & Burgess J (2014) , New Literacies Around the Globe: Policy and Pedagogy (pp. 103-120).
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2013) , New Methods of Literacy Research (pp. 163-176).
Rowsell J (2013) Artifactual english, Language, Ethnography, and Education: Bridging New Literacy Studies and Bourdieu (pp. 110-131).
Kosnik C, Rowsell J & Simon R (2013) , Literacy Teacher Educators (pp. 191-203). SensePublishers
Saudelli MG & Rowsell J (2013) , Literacy Teacher Educators (pp. 35-47). SensePublishers
Rowsell J, Kress G, Pahl K & Street B (2013) , Theoretical Models and Processes of Reading (pp. 1182-1207). International Reading Association
Kendrick M & Rowsell J (2013) The visual turn: Transitioning into visual approaches to literacy education, Perspectives on Transitions in Schooling and Instructional Practice (pp. 320-346).
Pahl K & Rowsell J (2013) , The SAGE Handbook of Early Childhood Literacy (pp. 263-278). SAGE Publications Ltd
Rowsell J (2007) , Pierre Bourdieu and Literacy Education (pp. 233-251).
Rowsell J (2006) Corporate Crossings: Tracing Textual Crossings, Travel Notes from the New Literacy Studies: Instances of Practice (pp. 1-268).
Pahl K & Rowsell J () (pp. 1-10). Wiley
() In Nichols S & Snowden C (Ed.) Routledge
() In Böck M & Pachler N (Ed.) Routledge

Conference proceedings papers

(2022)
Keune A, Ruiz-Cabello P, Peppler K, Chappell K & Rowsell J (2022) Mapping Posthuman Methodological Innovation in the Study of Learning. Proceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS, Vol. 2022-June (pp 113-116)
Peppler K, Keune A, Wohlwend K, Rowsell J & Goldstone R (2019) Posthumanist perspectives on learning. Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL, Vol. 2 (pp 1039)

Reports

Bramley R, Rowsell J, Mushtaq F, Shaw J & Wood ML (2024) A country that works for all children and young people: An evidence-based plan for upskilling our children and young people for digital futures

Other

Lemieux A & Rowsell J (2019) .

Preprints

Tikly L, Barrett A, Batra P, Bernal A, Cameron L, Coles A, Juma ZR, Nunes NA, Paulson J, Rowsell J , Mitchell R et al (2022) , Center for Open Science.

Teaching interests: Digital pedagogies; post-qualitative research methods; Participatory learning; Digital literacies; The arts and literacy theory; Qualitative research methods; Digital cultures and education; Language, literacies, and identities; and, Socio-digital futures.

Professional activities and memberships: I am Co-Convenor of the UKLA Everyday Literacies SIG with Clare Dowdall; I am Lead Editor of Reading Research Quarterly with Cheryl McLean, Christian Ehret, and Natalia Kucirkova with Editorial Assistant Bev Enion; and, I am Co-Series Editor of the Routledge Expanding Literacies in Education Series with Carmen Medina.