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Richardson’s main research area includes technology-mediated language learning and teaching as well as learning to read and dyslexia. Speech processing, reading literacy assessment and interventions belong to her research area.

Cooperation between UNESCO and JYU supports the right of all children in the world to learn to read in their native language. For this purpose, reading literacy materials are provided through online and mobile applications for teachers , parents, and children. The main mission is the global promotion of effective, research-based teaching of reading literacy while taking advantage of the Internet and mobile technologies.

Surprisingly many people have problems with reading

Written language plays a pivotal role in education and the digital world in general. Alarmingly enough, globally nearly a third of children and adults, and up to a fifth in Europe, face serious challenges with reading, to the extent that they do not understand simple texts.

Although the latest PISA results show that Finland is one of the top countries in Europe, the trend in reading literacy is clearly declining in Finland as well. What makes the situation worse is that children suffering from learning difficulties do not get sufficient support early enough, which means a significant disadvantage for these children with regard to later content-wise learning at school. The need for comprehensive support of reading is especially urgent, and not only for children suffering from learning difficulties, but also for others struggling with reading.

Proactive support for reading literacy training

We seek to reduce learning difficulties by offering proactive support to all children in their own school and home environment. The GraphoLearn learning game is used for practicing basic reading skills and has proven to be a remarkable aid for that purpose. Richardson has led research and development work on this game globally since 2005.

The content of the latest digital game designed by Richardson’s multidisciplinary team has been expanded considerably from the original Ekapeli/GraphoGame/GraphoLearn version. It now covers the basics of phonological awareness, reading and writing in addition to the essential game elements for reading fluency and reading comprehension. The globally unique and esteemed game has thus been developed into a tool that adapts to one’s personal skills for everybody learning to read, whatever their current skill level might be.

The duties of this professorship also include providing education for teachers, researchers, and doctoral students of developing countries, especially for sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The aim is to enhance teaching skills for reading literacy, disseminate research and development results as well as teaching material to support effective learning.

The reading skills of Ukrainian children must be taken care of now and after the war

“A big challenge in the near future for the UNESCO Advisory Board in Europe concerns support to Ukraine in rebuilding their school system after the ravages of war,” Richardson says. “By the same token, in order to enable schooling for Ukrainian children in their home country as well as abroad, it is important to support the development of children’s reading skills in their native language, for example by means of the GraphoLearn learning environment.”

Heikki Lyytinen, professor emeritus of developmental neuropsychology at JYU, has previously served in an equivalent post as a UNESCO Professor from 2015 to 2021.

Further information:

Ulla Richardson, +358 40 024 7398, ulla.a.richardson@jyu.fi