Dr. Xiaoxiao Du

Biography

Xiaoxiao joined the Faculty of Education as an Assistant Professor of language and literacies in July 2021. She has served as President (2019–2021) and Past President (2021–2023) of Language Literacy Researchers Canada, and has been an Associate Editor for the Language & Literacy eJournal since 2021. Dr. Du earned her Ph.D. from Western University, where her dissertation received the John Dearness Memorial Award. She has extensive experience working with diverse learners, families, and educators in both public and private educational settings across elementary and post-secondary levels in Canada and internationally. Her scholarly work investigates how to support children’s early literacy learning in school, home, and community contexts. She collaborates with elementary school teachers to deepen understanding of diverse learners and enhance literacy instruction. Additionally, she engages with parents to explore school curricula and home literacy practices, bridging the gap between school and home literacies. Dr. Du also learns from Indigenous teachers and researchers, engaging in reciprocal, relational practices that honor Indigenous ways of knowing and contribute to decolonizing education. Her advocacy promotes the meaningful affirmation and integration of culturally and linguistically diverse children's funds of knowledge in school curricula, while her scholarly work aims to advance asset-based, justice-oriented pedagogies of multiliteracies that honor learners’ identities and foster inclusive practices.

Research Interests