On Monday 8th July, we welcomed Professor Bronwyn Williams from the University of Louisville, who joined us for our annual Morecambe Bay Curriculum event the previous week. His current book, entitled ‘Literacies in times of disruption’, provided the basis for this talk, which was followed by a Q&A discussion. The seminar explored how students position themselves in relation to issues of place, technology and school, with specific consideration of what occurs during periods of disruption.