Dyslexia in Academia: A Journey of Openness and Advocacy with Damian Parry

In this brilliant episode, Damian Parry shares their lived experience of navigating academia with dyslexia. We explore how neurodivergence shapes scholarship, teaching, and community, while unpacking the stigma that still surrounds disclosure in higher education. From misconceptions to systemic gaps in support, this conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities for creating a more inclusive academic world. Enjoy this thought provoking episode.

Damian Parry is a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University’s School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences, and a passionate advocate for inclusive education. Diagnosed with dyslexia later in life, Damian has come to embrace the unique strengths and resilience that dyslexia has helped him forge—alongside the innate problem-solving abilities that have always shaped his approach to learning, teaching, and leadership.

Damian’s journey as a dyslexic academic is one of empowerment and transformation. He believes in the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. His work across the university reflects this ethos—from leading the expansion of the widening participation summer school Programme to a time as Faculty EDI Director and presently the co-chair of the university disability staff network.

As an educator, Damian is deeply invested in improving how students engage with feedback. He champions approaches that help learners truly receive feedback and apply it as feedforward, making assessment a more meaningful and rewarding experience for both students and educators.

Whether through his roles in curriculum design, student support, or institutional inclusion efforts, Damian brings authenticity, insight, and a deep commitment to equity. His story offers a compelling look at what it means to thrive as a dyslexic academic—and how embracing neurodiversity can transform higher education for everyone.