Journalist-in-Residence: Emily Hanford

Acclaimed reporter Emily Hanford, best known as the host of APM Reports’s Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong, is Planet Word’s first Journalist-in-Residence. Beginning in April 2024, Emily will curate dynamic public dialogues with some of the most important voices in the literacy community, including scientists, policymakers, and educators. Together, we’re igniting new conversations and working towards a goal of literacy for all.

Planet Word’s Journalist-in-Residence Program is made possible thanks to support from the Ibis Group.

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About Emily Hanford

Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer at APM Reports and host of the transformative podcast Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong. Emily’s work has won some of the highest honors in journalism, including two duPont-Columbia Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, an IRE Award, the Scripps Howard Impact Award, the Third Coast Impact Award, the EWA Public Service Award and a Peabody nomination. She has covered education for American Public Media since 2008 and is best known for her groundbreaking reporting on how children learn to read. In 2017, she won the American Educational Research Association’s award for Excellence in Reporting on Education Research.

Literacy Matters

Books about Reading (and Writing): A Reading List from Emily Hanford

Check out this book list about reading, writing, and telling compelling stories curated by Emily Hanford in recognition of National Literacy Month.

Read the list

Upcoming Program

Series

Eyes on Reading: Maryland State Superintendent Carey Wright in Conversation with Emily Hanford

January 25, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.

$15 | Friedman Family Auditorium

Join Planet Word and our Journalist-in-Residence, Emily Hanford, for a candid conversation with Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey Wright. Their discussion will explore Dr. Wright’s vision for Maryland…

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Past Programs

Series

Eyes on Reading: Julie Washington with Emily Hanford — Supporting African American Children’s Reading Success

November 02, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

$15 | Friedman Family Auditorium

Are you a teacher in the DC area working in diverse classrooms? A parent concerned about your child’s reading progress? Join us for an enlightening morning with Dr. Julie Washington, a…

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Series

Eyes on Reading: Maryanne Wolf with Emily Hanford

September 18, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.

For better or worse, digital reading is transforming the human brain. Join Maryanne Wolf, the best-selling author of Reader, Come Home, and Planet Word’s Journalist-in-Residence Emily Hanford as Wolf presents…

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Series

Eyes on Reading: Dr. Stanislas Dehaene with Emily Hanford

April 27, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

Our brains hold the key to creating a world where nearly all children can become skilled readers. Acclaimed journalist Emily Hanford delves into this urgent topic with Dr. Stanislas Dehaene,…

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Series

Eyes on Reading: A Conversation with Emily Hanford, Creator of Sold a Story

May 30, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.

How did a journalist shift from covering college education to early literacy? Emily Hanford, Senior Education Correspondent for American Public Media, and host of the podcast Sold a Story: How…

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