2026
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Tilson, J., Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2026). Examining literacy identities through embodied learning to co-create vibrant literacy futures. Proceedings of the Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA) Conference: Transforming Teacher Education. (pp. 174). Retrieved from https://atea.edu.au/conferences/2026-atea-conference
2025
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T. (2025, June-July). Process drama: Authentic embodied learning about the planet, its people, and issues that matter. Keynote presentation at the Whakamana, Mana Reo Conference: Empowering Learners, Enriching Literacy, Wellington, New Zealand.
2024
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Ingram, N., & Wells, T. (2024). Riding the wave of COVID-19: The afterMATH. Proceedings of the 46th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA): Surfing the waves of mathematics education. (pp. 287-294). Retrieved from https://merga.net.au/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T., & Mann, E. (2024). Responsive, flexible, collaboratively shaped: “That's powerful for us!” Proceedings of the combined Drama New Zealand (DNZ) and Australia Drama Conference: Kia Tōnui - Flourish. A6. Retrieved from https://www.drama.org.nz/conferences
Other Research Output
Wells, P., Tilson, J., & Sandretto, S. (2024, October). Juggling the hybrid thesis in the humanities. College of Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Awarded Doctoral Degree
Wells, P. M. (2024). Process drama: Authentic embodied learning about the planet, its people, and issues that matter (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/esploro/outputs/9926529979801891
2023
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2023). Bridging the theory-practice divide in teacher education through process drama pedagogy: “You fully experience what you're learning”. Teaching & Teacher Education, 124, 103993. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103993
Wells, T., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2023). Metaxis moments prompted by authentic questions in primary classroom contexts. Research in Drama Education, 28(2), 195-209. doi: 10.1080/13569783.2022.2064738
Wells, T., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2023). Learning "what it's like to be someone else apart from yourself": Developing holistic empathy with process drama. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 31(4), 809-825. doi: 10.1080/14681366.2021.1949633
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dunn, J., Wells, T., Aitken, V., & Coleman, C. (2023, September). Talanoa: What just happened? Panel discussion at the Drama New Zealand (DNZ) / Networks of Expertise National Conference: Whakamana, Mana Reo: Empowering Learners, Enriching Literacy, Havelock North, New Zealand.
Commissioned Report for External Body
NMSSA Project Team, including Renner, S., Wells, T., Ferrier-Kerr, D., Berg, D., Young, S., Ward, J., Asil, M., White, J., & Lancaster, D. (2023). Exemplars for teachers: The arts [National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (NMSSA) Report 25-EX]. Dunedin, New Zealand: Educational Assessment Research Unit & New Zealand Council for Educational Research. 63p. Retrieved from https://nmssa.otago.ac.nz/reports-and-resources/the-arts-resources/
Other Research Output
Wells, T. (2023, June). Exploring poetry through performance. Otago Literacy Association Engage and Enrich Workshops, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Research Presentation].
2022
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T., & Mann, E. (2022). Collaboration! A team using process drama as a pedagogy [Workshop]. Proceedings of the Drama New Zealand (DNZ) National Conference: Tīmatanga Hōu. Retrieved from https://www.drama.org.nz/conferences
Wells, T. (2022). Exploring the precursors to metaxis moments in process drama. Proceedings of the Drama New Zealand (DNZ) National Conference: Tīmatanga Hōu. Retrieved from https://www.drama.org.nz/conferences
2021
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T. (2021). Learning "what it's like to be someone else apart from yourself": Developing empathy with process drama pedagogy. Proceedings of the Drama NZ National Conference: Art at the Heart. Retrieved from https://www.drama.org.nz/conferences
Other Research Output
Wells, T., Sandretto, S. & Tilson, J. (2021, July). Enhancing students' holistic empathy through process drama pedagogy evidenced in writing. College of Education Seminar Series. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
2018
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2018). A fresh look at literacy learning. Proceedings of the 9th International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI): Tyranny of Distance. Retrieved from https://www.idieri2018.org/
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2018, April). Exploring a new resource: "Using process drama to expand the literacy programme". Verbal presentation at the Otago Literacy Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2017
Authored Book - Research
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2017). Using process drama to expand the literacy programme: An exemplar. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER Press, 50p.
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2017). “I’m on a journey I never thought I’d be on”: Using process drama pedagogy for the literacy programme. Pedagogies, 12(2), 180-195. doi: 10.1080/1554480X.2016.1245147
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, P., & Sandretto, S. (2017). What are primary school students’ experiences of process drama when integrated into the literacy programme? Proceedings of the Australian Association for the Teaching of English & Australian Literacy Educators' Association (AATE/ALEA) National Conference: Cutting Edge: Margin to Mainstream. Retrieved from https://event.crowdcompass.com/englitconf2017/activity/sCrhUI4O5i
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2017, May). Drama and literacy [Workshop]. Verbal presentation at the Southland Literacy Symposium, Invercargill, New Zealand.
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2017, May). Process drama: Theory and practice. Keynote presentation at the Southland Literacy Symposium, Invercargill, New Zealand.
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2017, March). Learning literacy and process drama: Listening to students. Verbal presentation at the Drama NZ National Conference: All Aboard, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Other Research Output
Wells, T. (September, 2017). A fresh look at literacy learning through process drama. Drama New Zealand Otago Southland Branch AGM, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Invited Presentation].
Wells, T. & Sandretto, S. (2017, May). "Act before you write": Learning from students about process drama and literacy learning. College of Education, Research Seminar Series, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
2016
Other Research Output
Sandretto, S. & T. Wells. (2016, March). "I'm on a journey I never thought I'd be on": Using process drama as a pedagogical tool for the literacy programme. Otago Literacy Association Morning Report, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Research Presentation].
2015
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2015). 'I'm on a journey I never thought I would be on'. Proceedings of the International Applied Theatre Symposium: Performance of Hope. (pp. 41). Retrieved from http://www.education.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/events/events-2015/11/the-performance-of-hope.html
Wells, T. (2015). Working with adolescents with an applied theatre approach when dealing with sensitive issues. Proceedings of the Drama NSW Conference. Retrieved from http://www.dramansw.org.au/whats-on/2015-international-conference/
Other Research Output
Wells, T. & Sandretto, S. (2015, September). "I'm on a journey I never thought I'd be on": Using process drama as a pedagogical tool for the literacy programme. College of Education, Research Seminar Series, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
2014
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T. (2014, June). Approaching sensitive issues in education through applied theatre. Verbal presentation at the Journal of Arts & Sciences' (IJAS) International Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
2013
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T. (2013). Insights into approaching sexual health education through applied theatre methodology. Applied Theatre Research, 1(2), 203-215. doi: 10.1386/atr.1.2.203_1
2012
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T. (2012). Insights into teaching and learning through applied theatre methodology. Proceedings of the Clute Institute International Conference. (pp. 377). Littleton, CO: Clute Institute. [Abstract]
2011
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T. (2011). Fictional frames, real questions. Proceedings of the Second Critical Studies in Drama in Education International Symposium: Pedagogy of Possibilities. Retrieved from http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/events/template/event_item.jsp?cid=413607
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T. (2011, October). Accessing the real issues through process drama conventions. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Sexual Health Society 33rd Annual Conference: Changing Latitudes and Attitudes, Auckland, New Zealand.
2010
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T. (2010). Drama research a tool for reflection and learning: A case study. International Journal of Creativity & Problem Solving, 20(2), 127-137.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T. (2010). Nurturing the imagination and providing a space for the enhancement of reflective insight through the fictional world. Proceedings of the Critical Studies in Drama in Education International Symposium. Retrieved from http://www.education.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/template/event_item.jsp?cid=301674
2008
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T. (2008). Drama as a tool for reflection, understanding and learning. Proceedings of the Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies (ADSA) Annual Conference. Retrieved from http://www.adsa.edu.au/conferences/past-conferences/2008/pdf2ADSA-Prog-v6.pdf/view
Commissioned Report for External Body
Wells, T., & Little, S. (2008). A critical analysis of 'The Best Thing' programme. Commissioned by Theatre in Health Education Trust. 5p.
2007
Awarded Masters Degree
Wells, T. (2007). Drama as a tool for reflection, understanding and learning (MDramaEd). Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. 112p.
2006
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T. (2006). The haka as an intercultural form. Drama New Zealand, 30(2), 19-21.
Senior Lecturer