Reading Professor awarded OBE in King's Birthday Honours

Professor Rhona Stainthorp has been awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours for her services to education.

Rhona, who is an Emeritus Professor in the Institute of Education, is a leading expert on reading development and difficulties and has made significant contributions to reading education research and policy, particularly around the use of phonics.

Among her many achievements, Rhona has advised policymakers and practitioners on evidence-based reading instruction.

This includes advising educational media producers, including the BBC, on content that supports children’s literacy – such as the CBeebies show, Alphablocks.

Rhona has spent the majority of her working life at the University of Reading. Before that, she worked at Bulmershe College of Higher Education, which merged with the University in 1989.

Over her distinguished career, Rhona has authored over 100 publications on reading development, reading difficulties, and approaches to teaching reading.

Her work has shed light on the critical role of phonological and phonemic skills in learning to read. She has been a vocal advocate for research-informed reading instruction, emphasizing the importance of systematic synthetic phonics as part of a rich literacy curriculum.

She served on the advisory group for the phonics screening check introduced in England in 2012. Her expertise has shaped initial teacher training and professional development in reading pedagogy.

Rhona is also one of the University Orators for graduations, at the University of Reading.

Professor Stainthorp said: “This is a totally unexpected honour. The opportunities the University has given me for engaging in applied research into the learning and teaching of reading and writing have been immeasurable. 

“Research is always a joint enterprise and I have been privileged to work with formidable colleagues in Reading and across the world. It has been humbling to see our work influencing the effective teaching of literacy in this country.

“This award recognises how important it is that research into learning and teaching of literacy continues to be supported so that the life chances of children are enhanced.”