LRA Adopts Quantum Lens to Redefine Literacy for the AI Age

HONOLULU, HI – January 08, 2026 – The Literacy Research Association (LRA) has announced a paradigm-shifting theme for its 76th Annual Conference, signaling a bold move away from conventional literacy studies. Scheduled for December 2-5, 2026, in Honolulu, the event, titled "Manifesting Quantum Imaginaries: Re-searching Literacies as a Transcontextual Enterprise," aims to equip researchers and educators for a world grappling with the complexities of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and profound global interconnectedness.

Led by 2026 Conference Chair and President-Elect Dr. Patriann Smith and Associate Conference Chair Dr. Rahat Zaidi, the conference intends to metaphorically apply a "quantum lens" to how literacy is understood, studied, and taught. This approach challenges the static, linear models that have long dominated the field, proposing instead a view of literacy as dynamic, multi-layered, and full of possibility.

"As we convene for our 76th Annual Conference... this milestone conference... is designed to profoundly expand our understandings of literacies in motion, reinforcing LRA's commitment to disseminating cutting-edge research," said Patriann Smith. The theme builds on the momentum of the organization's recent 75th anniversary, aiming to chart a new course for the future of literacy research.

Beyond Linear Thinking: The Rise of Quantum Imaginaries

The core of the conference's innovative theme lies in its metaphorical adoption of principles from quantum science. The concept of "Quantum Imaginaries" invites scholars to view literacy events not as fixed occurrences with singular meanings, but as dynamic "bundles of potential," much like the smallest units of reality in quantum physics, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. According to this framework, a single act of reading, writing, or communicating can generate limitless possibilities depending on its context, timing, and trajectory.

This perspective radically reframes literacy by emphasizing the "when" and "where" as equally critical to the "what." It pushes back against a purely skills-based or text-centric view, arguing that the environment, culture, and moment in time fundamentally shape a literacy act's meaning and impact. The theme is influenced by scholarly work such as Michelle M. Wright's Physics of Blackness, which uses physics as a metaphor to re-examine identity and experience beyond linear time. By framing literacy as a "transcontextual enterprise," the LRA is calling for a more fluid and expansive understanding of how people make meaning across the complex architecture of their lives.

The timing of this intellectual pivot is intentional. With 2025 designated by UNESCO as the "Year of Quantum," the conference leverages a global conversation about the next technological frontier to inspire a similar leap in educational theory.

Literacy in Motion: A Tapestry of Global and Digital Worlds

A central component of the "Quantum Imaginaries" theme is the exploration of "literacies in motion." This concept examines how literacy practices travel, adapt, and transform as individuals navigate new contexts—whether they are students moving across borders, classrooms, or the increasingly blurred lines between online and offline worlds. The conference aims to understand this dynamic interplay and its effect on how individuals communicate, form identities, and establish a sense of belonging.

Crucially, this perspective deliberately integrates long-standing Indigenous, African, Asian, and diasporic philosophies that often embrace non-linear understandings of time and the interconnectedness of all things. These worldviews offer a powerful counter-narrative to rigid Western models, providing richer frameworks for understanding human experience. For instance, Indigenous educational philosophies often emphasize holistic learning, connecting land, community, and spirituality, while concepts like "diaspora literacy" highlight the ability to read multi-layered meanings embedded within the cultural and historical contexts of specific communities.

By embracing these diverse epistemologies, the LRA seeks to liberate literacy from rigid characterizations and foster a more inclusive, culturally responsive approach to education. The call for proposals explicitly invites research that explores how literacies remain active for students who move and those who do not, and how these dynamics play out across homes, schools, and digital spaces.

Navigating the New Frontier: Literacy in the Age of AI

The conference's forward-looking agenda directly confronts the seismic shifts being driven by artificial intelligence and the dawn of quantum computing. As AI tools become pervasive in daily life and classrooms, the very definition of literacy is expanding. The LRA's theme addresses the urgent need to move beyond basic digital skills to foster deep "AI literacy."

This new competency involves not only using AI tools but also critically evaluating their outputs, understanding their potential for bias and misinformation, and grappling with the ethical implications of their use. While AI offers powerful opportunities for personalized learning and teacher support, it also presents challenges related to data privacy, algorithmic bias that can perpetuate social inequities, and the risk of eroding students' critical thinking and creativity.

The conference also looks toward the horizon of quantum computing. This emerging technology, which operates on principles of superposition and entanglement, promises to solve problems far beyond the capacity of today's computers and will require a new kind of "quantum literacy" based on probabilistic reasoning and abstract thinking. By placing these technologies at the center of its discourse, the LRA aims to prepare the education sector for a future where computational logic may become less transparent and more complex, demanding new models for accountability and ethical oversight.

From Theory to the Classroom

While the conference theme is conceptually ambitious, its leaders stress its practical implications for K-12 educators. The goal is to translate these advanced theoretical frameworks into actionable strategies that support students in today's classrooms.

"Attendees... will discover innovative approaches to cultivate new ways of supporting students and teachers in K-12 classrooms, fostering active literacies in motion that transcend traditional boundaries," commented Rahat Zaidi. She noted that the quantum lens can help educators recognize how "even the smallest literacy events hold multiple meanings and create limitless possibilities," providing a dynamic framework for instruction.

The call for proposals seeks research on tangible topics, including strategies teachers can use to support mobile students, methods for studying student literacies across online and offline lives, and how students themselves engage with literacy to shape their personal trajectories. The conference aims to provide a platform for sharing innovative pedagogical approaches that help students navigate a world saturated with information and complex communication demands.

Ultimately, the event in Honolulu is positioned as more than just an academic gathering. "The LRA 2026 conference theme, 'Manifesting Quantum Imaginaries,' represents a critical call to action for the literacy research community," states Patriann Smith. She frames the conference as an opportunity for researchers to not only observe but to actively participate in shaping a more just and equitable future, concluding that the goal is to inspire inquiry into how literacies can "heal, redeem, reconnect, and protect (mālama) -- radically reshaping the shared nows of all."