"Exploring Play and Wellbeing and the Concept of Spatial Justice".
About Wendy
Dr Wendy Russell is a Senior Research Fellow and an independent researcher. Her research into children’s play focuses on the politics of space, and playwork. She is a co-founder of the biennial international Philosophy at Play conference and is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Play.
Critical cartography, as developed by Wendy, treats mapping not as a way of recording places but as a way of revealing the relationships, power dynamics and material conditions that shape opportunities for play. Through creative, deliberately ‘inefficient’ mapping, storying and diagramming, Critical Cartography helps practitioners to reflect on and reimagine play spaces, supporting more equitable, playful and responsive environments. Read more…
Wendy’s research into therapeutic playwork explores how children, playworkers, materials, animals and spaces come together to create conditions of safety, joy and self-directed play within therapeutic settings. By combining creative mapping with non-linear evaluation methods, it demonstrates the value of play as a relational, process-based form of care while providing meaningful evidence of its impact beyond conventional outcome measures. Read more…
Wendy has played a leading role in developing the Play Sufficiency Duty in Wales, creating practical, relational tools that help local authorities assess and improve the conditions that enable children to play. Wendy has guided play policy and practice in Wales and promotes play sufficiency internationally. Read more…
Bookings are now open for the following Play Summits
Perth
Thursday 15th October
Time: 9.30am till 12.30 pm
Venue: Guildford Grammar School, Guildford
Cost: Play Australia Members - $66.00 (Including GST)
Non-Play Australia Members - $99.00 (Including GST)
REGISTER HERE
Melbourne
Monday 19th October
Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: Library at the Dock, Docklands
Cost: Play Australia Members - $66.00. (Including GST)
Non-Play Australia Members - $99.00 (Including GST)
Brisbane
Thursday 22nd October
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Venue: Griffith University Graduate Centre, Southbank
Cost: Play Australia Members - $66.00 (Including GST)
Non-Play Australia Members - $99.00 (Including GST)
Bathurst
This will be a Live Stream from the Brisbane session
Thursday 22nd October
Time: 10.30am - 1.30pm
Venue: Bathurst Childhood Early Intervention Service, Charles Sturt University
Cost: $25.00 (Including GST)
Sydney
Friday 23rd October
Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Venue: TBC
Cost: Play Australia Members - $66.00 (Including GST)
Non-Play Australia Members - $99.00 (Including GST)
Some regional venues and other locations we are live streaming on Thursday 22nd October from Brisbane. Contact Info@playaustralia.org.au if you have a venue and would like to facilitate a session.
For more information email info@playaustralia.org.au
Together, in 2026, we will chart a path forward for developing a comprehensive national agenda for play in Australia—one that recognizes children's right to play not as a luxury, but as essential to their health, wellbeing, and development.
THIS PROJECT IS AN INITIATIVE OF PLAY AUSTRALIA.
WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF DELEGATE REGISTRATION FEES IN FUNDING THIS INITIATIVE.
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