Ruth Harris Lecture in Dyslexia Studies
Always an anticipated event on the VCU School of Education calendar, the Ruth Harris Lecture in Dyslexia Studies brings prominent researchers and scholars to campus to discuss their work on — and often first-hand experience with — learning disabilities such as dyslexia.
First held in 2011, the Harris Lecture is made possible thanks to a gift from Ruth and Louis Harris that founded the Department of Special Education’s Ruth Harris Professorship in Dyslexia Studies. The Harris’ fund seeks to enhance the work in the field of language learning and reading disabilities, with a particular focus on dyslexia.
Previous presenters have included famed paleontologist Jack Horner; Anne Ford, the great-granddaughter of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford; and Candace Cortiella, founder and director of The Advocacy Institute.
Photo Gallery – 2019 Ruth Harris Keynote
The 2019 Harris Lecture, featuring Bweikia Foster Steen, Ed.D., an associate professor of education at George Mason University, was titled "Hear our cries: Preventing the preschool to prison pipeline with intentional early literacy instruction."