Professor Tim Miles
11.03.23 - 11.12.08
Tim R Miles, OBE - Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Univerist of Bangor, Wales, England
Tim Miles, who has died aged 85, was a pioneer of dyslexia and he will be sadly missed by everyone in his field. Tim was a giant of a man. his insights and ideas galvanised early work on dyslexia and are respected by many: scholars, practitioners, officers of the BDA, and families with dyslexia.
Indeed, such was his influence, that no one with a serious interest in dyslexia could have escaped teams writings, lectures, series of fascinating hypotheses. Working with colleagues at the ICAA World Blind Centre in the 1960s, and through his assessment work in Bangor he gained important insights into the strengths and difficulties of children with dyslexia, insights that were the foundation of his research up until the time of his death.
Later, in collaboration with his wife, Elaine, he devised methods of teaching suitable for those with dyslexia, which remain the bedrock of best practice. Indeed, through the Dyslexia Unit in Bangorwhich Tim established,the Miles' work with children in Gwynedd schools might be regarded as one of the first genuine examples of a partnership between research and education.
But that is not all; Tim was one of the first to extend interest in dyslexia into higher education, dyslexia and music, and dyslexia and self-esteem. And was a founder member of the British Dyslexia Association, and one of its Vice Presidents. He received theOBE for services to dyslexia in 2003and, together with his wife Elaine, was the recipient of many awards from both sides of the Atlantic.
Less well known was Tim's prowess on the tennis court ( a former Wimbledon player) and his own hidden disability of colour blindness! Active until the end, he completed a draft of his final paper 'on thepernicious concept of IQ' in the last few days of his life. All remembered him as a slightly dishevelled, somewhat Scatty Professor. He will also be fondly remembered as immensely wise, kind and positive; and there is no doubt that his original contributions will stand the world of dyslexia in good steed for many years to come.
Professor Maggie Snowling
University of York, UK
