The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) has named Dr. Charles Hulme, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Education at the University of Oxford and co-founder of OxEd & Assessment, as the recipient of the 2025 Samuel Torrey Orton Award, one of the IDA’s highest honors.
The award recognizes individuals who have made transformative contributions to advancing the scientific understanding of dyslexia. Dr. Hulme is recognized for his groundbreaking research into the cognitive foundations of reading and for advancing understanding of how oral language skills underpin reading development and comprehension, research that has led to measurable impact for thousands of students worldwide.
“Dr. Hulme’s research has revolutionized how we understand the role of language in reading development,” said the IDA. “As a professor, author, and founder of OxEd & Assessment, his work has led to real change, including the creation of the TEL Ted Program, an oral language toolkit to Teach Everyone Language.”
Along with Dr. Maggie Snowling, Dr. Hulme’s research helped establish the Reading is Language model, a framework that places oral language at the heart of learning to read. Reading and language are deeply interconnected, and one cannot develop without the other. Without strong language skills, word reading, reading comprehension, and written expression will not develop effectively.
“This award is an incredible honor,” said Dr. Hulme. “For too long, reading has been viewed as separate from language, when in fact the two are deeply intertwined. This award highlights the growing recognition that oral language is the foundation on which all reading and learning are built.”
Through his work at OxEd & Assessment, Dr. Hulme continues to translate cutting-edge research into practical tools, including digital screeners, whole class and targeted intervention programs, and online professional development, that enable schools and districts to identify and support students with oral language delays early, improving reading outcomes at scale.
Recognizing the deep connection between language and reading, OxEd has also partnered with Really Great Reading (RGR), a leader in evidence-aligned foundational reading instruction, to provide districts with a truly comprehensive early literacy solution. Together, OxEd and RGR are bringing the “Reading is Language” model into classrooms across the U.S., connecting oral language development to the systematic teaching of reading.
“Dr. Hulme’s research has redefined how we understand the link between language and reading,” said Mike Lavelle, CEO of Really Great Reading. “We’re proud to partner with OxEd to bring that science into classrooms, helping educators close language gaps early and transform student outcomes at scale.”
Dr. Hulme will be receiving his award at the Annual IDA Conference: Reading, Literacy, and Learning in Atlanta, GA this week, where he will also be giving the Samuel Torrey and Joan Lyday Orton Memorial Lecture.
OxEd & Assessment (OxEd) is a University of Oxford spinout company launched to bring decades of research into children’s early language and reading development through to practical application in schools and districts. OxEd develops educational assessment apps, whole-class instructional solutions, and targeted interventions that help educators identify and address oral language delays, the critical foundation for reading, writing, and long-term learning success. Proven through large-scale trials and real-world implementation, OxEd’s solutions equip educators to meet evidence-based literacy priorities, close language gaps, and raise student achievement.