Dyslexic thinking made me the scientist I am today. If we could harness its power, imagine what could be possible | Maggie Aderin

Progress has always been made by people who think differently. Neurodiversity helps us think outside the box – and when we do, the sky’s the limit

One of my favourite pieces of scientific equipment is something called a retrospectroscope. I admit that it only exists in my imagination, but it has turned out to be a very useful bit of kit. It allows me to look back through the years of my life and analyse the journey so far. And what a journey it has been.

When I started looking back in earnest as I wrote my memoir, there were many discoveries. Some made me laugh. Some made me wince. Some made me want to give my younger self a hug and a cup of hot, sweet tea. But one of the biggest standouts has been the path my dyslexia has taken me on.