Nathan Lowien

Nathan Lowien is a Senior Lecturer in English, Language and Literacies Education at the University of New England, within the School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. He is actively engaged in teacher education, curriculum research, and academic leadership in literacy education.

His research focuses on the interplay between language, literature, and literacy in multimodal contexts such as video games, animated films, and digital media. Drawing on systemic functional linguistics, semiotic theory, and multimodal critical discourse analysis, Nathan advances both theoretical and applied understandings of how values and meaning are constructed in contemporary texts. His work directly informs pedagogical practices in English classrooms, especially in primary and middle years education.

The recent publications highlight a consistent trajectory in multimodal literacy, digital games, AI in writing, and democratic values in English education. These works reflect interdisciplinary engagement with education, linguistics, cultural studies, and technology. Themes include the role of video games in teaching grammar and values, the impact of generative AI on writing instruction, and the representation of cultural identities in media.

Notable scientific awards include:

• ALEA Associate Fellow (2023–2028)
• ALEA Doctoral Thesis Award (2024)

Nathan contributes significantly to the academic community through research supervision, editorial work as Associate Editor of The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, and professional service with ALEA and ASFLA. He coordinates the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students at UNE, supporting future educators. While specific grants are not mentioned, his research output and leadership roles indicate active involvement in funded and collaborative scholarly projects.

He is involved in academic teams and research networks focused on literacy, multimodality, and English education, contributing to national and international discourse through publications, editorial roles, and professional associations.