- Dubbed ‘DyslexicU’, the free-to-access online university launched today following the release of a ground-breaking report revealing that the skills inherent to dyslexics are the most sought-after in every job, in every sector, globally.
- Global charity Made By Dyslexia’s era-defining ‘Intelligence 5.0 report’ shows the intelligence needed in today’s AI-driven world has changed – demonstrating the need for a rethink of how the world talks about, teaches and measures intelligence.
- Housed on The Open University, DyslexicU aims to fill this knowledge and skills gap by providing a ‘new school of thought’, which teaches the world the principles of Dyslexic Thinking.
- DyslexicU is for anyone, at any stage of life, with a curiosity to learn more about the skills so relevant to this new world.
- Sir Richard Branson and Kate Griggs, Founder of Made By Dyslexia, launched the innovative learning platform today during the UN General Assembly in New York alongside notable successful dyslexics including HRH Princess Beatrice and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
New York, Tuesday 24 September 2024: Sir Richard Branson and global charity, Made By Dyslexia, have joined forces to launch a free online university, dubbed ‘DyslexicU’, that teaches the world how dyslexics think.
Built in partnership with The Open University and available worldwide, the pioneering and innovative online course has been created in response to new era-defining research by the charity and the world’s largest recruiter, Randstad Enterprise. It finds the intelligence the world needs now is changing, and the skills inherent to dyslexics are the most sought-after skills in every sector, globally.
Made By Dyslexia’s ground-breaking ‘Intelligence 5.0’ report concluded that today’s AI driven world needs a new kind of intelligence focused on human skills such as complex problem solving, adaptability, resilience, communication and creative thinking. These are skills dyslexics naturally possess but aren’t measured by traditional education and workplace tests which instead focus on dyslexic challenges.
Speaking at the DyslexicU launch event, Richard Branson said, “I’m proud that Dyslexic Thinking has made Virgin the disruptive brand that it is today. Thinking differently has always been an asset, but in this new world, it’s essential. We need more innovators, problem-solvers, storytellers and unconventional thinking. I’m delighted to join forces with Made By Dyslexia to launch DyslexicU which is free to access from all around the world.”
DyslexicU’s radical call for ”a new school of thought” was echoed in research commissioned by YouGov for the Intelligence 5.0 report. Of the 5,000 people surveyed across the USA, UK, India and Australia:
- 73% of respondents considered complex problem solving to be the best measure of intelligence.
- “Being creative and imaginative” follows with 60%, and “having good people and communication skills” with 59%.
- Only 6% believe the current approach of standardised exams and psychometric tests is the best indicator of intelligence today.
- It’s time for a radical overhaul of the outdated systems that are designed to teach and measure intelligence.
Kate Griggs, Founder of Made By Dyslexia, said, “AI has fundamentally changed the type of human intelligence that is critical for success, making the human skills of problem solving, innovation, lateral thinking and interpersonal skills the most sought-after skills in every job, in every sector, worldwide. And these are all Dyslexic Thinking skills.”
Presented by Dyslexic Thinking expert Kate Griggs, the inspirational short video courses feature experts and successful dyslexics from a wide range of fields. These notable ‘lecturers’ reveal the extraordinary power of Dyslexic Thinking, talking to how their Dyslexic Thinking has fuelled innovation and success, and the lessons we can gain from their experiences. Importantly, DyslexicU is free to access world-wide and open to anyone through The Open University. Those who complete the courses in DyslexicU can add the University of Dyslexic Thinking to their LinkedIn education.
Contributing dyslexics include Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, Dash Water founder Alex Wright, Shark Tank USA star Barbara Corcoran, Trunki founder Rob Law, Virgin Unite founding CEO Jean Oelwang, Activist Erin Brockovich, Lonnie Ali (sharing lessons from her late dyslexic husband, Muhammad), and Activist Princess Sarah Zeid amongst many more.
Richard Branson and Kate Griggs officially launched DyslexicU in New York today during the UN General Assembly, alongside a distinguished panel of guest speakers that included Changemaker & Ambassador Princess Beatrice, Chief Executive of Randstad Enterprise Michael Smith, Director for Education and Skills OECD Andreas Schleicher and Space Scientist and Ambassador Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
Learn more about the intelligence the world needs and enrol in the University of Dyslexic Thinking at www.dyslexicu.org
To celebrate #DyslexicThinking as a valuable skillset join the conversation or add the skill to your LinkedIn profile if you are dyslexic.
Notes to Editors
For further information:
Made By Dyslexia: Madebydyslexia@wcommunications.co.uk
Virgin Group: Ellie Ball, Communications Manager, Virgin Group: ellie.ball@virgin.com +44 7903030056
Please copy: press@virgin.com
DDB New York: press@ddb.com
Mango PR Australia: Ruby.Loosli@thisismango.com.au
About DyslexicU
DyslexicU courses will enable dyslexics to learn more about their Dyslexic Thinking skills, and non-dyslexics to learn about Dyslexic Thinking.
The first university courses, ‘Entrepreneurs & Start-Up Mentality’ (made in partnership with Virgin StartUp), and ‘Changemakers & Activism’ (made in partnership with Virgin Unite) have already gone live on DyslexicU, with further courses on storytelling, sport, fashion, culinary arts, music and more soon to join. Plus, courses in partnership with Randstad Enterprise on developing dyslexic talent.
Courses are free, online and on-demand. Students can pick and choose the modules that interest them and complete them in their own time – with no expiry date. Completed courses can be added to students’ LinkedIn Education.
About the research
Read the full report at www.dyslexicu.org
YouGov study of more than 5,000 respondents in USA, UK, India and Australia found:
- 73% believe that problem solving (a Dyslexic Thinking skill) is the best indicator of intelligence.
- 46% still regard accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar (Dyslexic Challenges) as crucial signs of intelligence.
- Just 6% believe scoring highly in exams and tests is the best indicator of intelligence.
Research with Randstad Enterprise found:
- Dyslexic Thinking skills match the top 3 in-demand core skills across all 9 major job sectors. Crucial core skills are complex problem solving, analytical thinking communication leadership and creativity – which are all Dyslexic Thinking skills.
- 66% of HR leaders say they understand the value of Dyslexic Thinking. But only 14% of dyslexics agree.
- While 64% of HR leaders believe their organisations recruitment process identifies Dyslexic Thinking skills, 96% of dyslexics feel that the process does not aim to recognise their unique strengths
Research with LinkedIn found:
- Just 1 in 5 Dyslexics believe their workplace understands their strengths
- 87% of dyslexics think their organisation should improve their understanding of dyslexia
Additional context:
- Over 1 billion jobs may transform due to technology by 2030, says the OECD, emphasizing the need for innovation and reskilling.
- Microsoft’s 2023 Work Trend Index highlights that 82% of leaders recognise the need for updated skills to adapt to AI expansion in the workplace.
- Studies from Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Center found that 85% of job success comes from strong human skills, while only 15% comes from technical knowledge.
Made By Dyslexia
Made By Dyslexia is a global charity, led by successful dyslexics. We’ve built the world’s largest community of dyslexic people and our allies. Our purpose is to help the world to Learn Dyslexia: to understand, to value it and to support it. Our mission is to train every teacher and help every workplace to spot, support and empower every dyslexic mind. This mission is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and we aim to achieve this by 2030. Our bold campaigns, events, and game-changing partnerships have redefined dyslexia, inspiring a global movement for change and resulted in Dyslexic Thinking being added as a skill on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, and as a noun in the dictionary.
Kate Griggs, Founder & CEO of Made By Dyslexia
Kate has dedicated her career to shifting the narrative on Dyslexia and educating people on its strengths. She has written two best-selling books on Dyslexic Thinking, published by Penguin: This Is Dyslexia and Xtraordinary People, and has shared her wealth of expertise in Made By Dyslexia’s free training courses for schools and workplaces on Microsoft Learn and LinkedIn Learning. She is one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices and is also the host of the chart-topping podcast, Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking.
Her innovative approach to social change and advocacy has garnered global recognition, with major publications including BBC Morning Live, This Morning and Harvard Business Review covering her efforts. Her powerful TED talk has also inspired countless individuals and organizations to rethink how they perceive Dyslexia.
Virgin
The Virgin Group is a leading international investment group and one of the world’s most recognised and respected brands. Created in 1970 with the birth of Virgin Records, the Virgin Group has gone on to invest in, incubate, and grow a number of successful businesses in the private and public markets. The Virgin Group has expanded into many sectors since its inception, driven by Sir Richard’s ambition to create the world’s most irresistible brand. These sectors include travel & leisure, financial services, health & wellness, technology & internet-enabled, music & entertainment, media & mobile, space, and renewable energy. Find out more at virgin.com