Charlie Thomson

The English Teachers Association of Queensland (ETAQ) presents this compelling session by Charlie Thomson exploring the enactment of hip-hop pedagogy in Australian educational contexts. For over 50 years, hip-hop culture has been a worldwide phenomenon, and its influence on young Australians is impossible to ignore. While hip-hop pedagogies have gained acceptance in mainstream schools internationally — particularly in settings with marginalised and disengaged students — their effectiveness within the Australian education system has not been extensively explored. This presentation fills that gap by examining how educators, youth workers, and artists are applying hip-hop pedagogy in diverse Queensland educational contexts. Drawing on original research, Thomson explores the practices of an affinity group — individuals relating together in a collaborative space based on shared interests, aspirations, and approaches — to highlight how hip-hop pedagogies can nurture collaborative approaches and strengthen collective professional practice. The presentation goes beyond simply advocating for hip-hop in the classroom; it investigates how this approach can enable and extend the personal development and professional practice of the educators themselves. For English teachers, youth workers, and educators working with diverse or disengaged student populations, this session offers research-grounded insights into a culturally relevant pedagogical approach that connects with students' lived experiences and cultural worlds.