I have over 20 years experience in initial teacher education. My area of expertise is in drama education across the primary, and secondary programmes. I bring experience and training in professional theatre and a primary teaching background. My research interests are in drama education and an applied theatre approach to pedagogy across the curriculum. More recently I have been involved in research projects in primary schools where we worked alongside primary teachers as we have explored the affordances of imbedding process drama in the primary literacy programme.
Publications
Wells, T. (2023, June). Exploring poetry through performance. Otago Literacy Association Engage and Enrich Workshops, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Research Presentation].
Other Research Output
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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/
Commissioned Report for External Body
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Article
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
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
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].
Other Research Output
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 - Published proceedings: Abstract
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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
Journal - Research Article
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 - Published proceedings: Abstract
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.
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T., & Sandretto, S. (2017, May). Process drama: Theory and practice. Keynote presentation at the Southland Literacy Symposium, Invercargill, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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].
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].
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].
Other Research Output
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/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
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].
Other Research Output
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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
Journal - Research Article
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]
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 - Published proceedings: Abstract
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Wells, T. (2010). Drama research a tool for reflection and learning: A case study. International Journal of Creativity & Problem Solving, 20(2), 127-137.
Journal - Research Article
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
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
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wells, T., & Little, S. (2008). A critical analysis of 'The Best Thing' programme. Commissioned by Theatre in Health Education Trust. 5p.
Commissioned Report for External Body
Wells, T. (2006). The haka as an intercultural form. Drama New Zealand, 30(2), 19-21.
Journal - Research Article
Senior Lecturer (COE)