The Institute of Language, Communication and the Brain (ILCB) is deeply saddened by the passing of Liliane Sprenger-Charolles, a colleague, friend, and one of the leading figures in international research on reading acquisition and literacy development. Liliane was emeritus CNRS researcher at the Centre for Research in Psychology and Neuroscience CRPN.
Throughout her distinguished career, Liliane built an exceptional body of work at the crossroads of linguistics, cognitive psychology, education, and speech-language pathology. Her research fundamentally advanced our understanding of how children learn to read, why some encounter difficulties, and how scientific evidence can inform educational practice and reduce inequalities.
A pioneer in cross-linguistic and cross-orthographic research, Liliane played a key role in demonstrating how the characteristics of writing systems shape reading acquisition and developmental dyslexia. Her work on decoding, reading comprehension, spelling, and reading disorders has become foundational in the field and has influenced generations of researchers, educators, and clinicians worldwide.
Beyond her scientific contributions, Liliane was a passionate advocate for evidence-based education and literacy development. Her expertise was sought by numerous national and international organisations, including initiatives aimed at improving literacy outcomes in developing countries. She possessed a rare ability to connect theoretical models, developmental research, clinical studies, and educational applications, helping bridge the gap between science and practice.
Those who had the privilege of working with her will remember not only her intellectual rigor and scientific excellence, but also her generosity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to mentoring younger researchers. She combined high standards with kindness, curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility toward both science and society.
Liliane’s scientific and human legacy will continue to inspire our community for many years to come. She will be greatly missed.