The Westminster Conversations series will host an event on neurodiversity this December.
As in wider society, many of our students and staff are neurodivergent, meaning that their brains work in ways different from the perceived "neurotypical" norm. They might be dyslexic or autistic, for instance. We all know neurodivergent people, although we may not know that we do. Rates of disclosure are low as people fear discrimination or misunderstanding, particularly those who are multiply marginalised.
At this event, a diverse panel will discuss what neurodiversity means to them in their contexts (eg social movements, business, medicine or university). How can organisations better support neurodiversity? What are the benefits to doing this, for all of us, and why are our institutions and practices so often hostile to neurodivergent people?
The event will be chaired by Dr Rachel Aldred, Professor of Transport and Director of the University's Active Travel Academy, with speakers including Char Bailey, Atif Choudhury, Dr Mary Doherty and Dr Elliott Spaeth.
Further sessions
A second online Westminster Conversations panel event will take place in January, focusing on neurodiversity in higher education. Additional events will include a hybrid session hosted by the School of Architecture and Cities on the implications of neurodiversity for research, practice and teaching in architecture, planning and transport. These events will be available to book soon.
About the speakers
Char Bailey
Char Bailey is an award-winning peak performance coach and facilitator. She is head of education and inclusion at Birmingham Pride, sits on the board for Neurodiversity in Business and volunteers as an inclusion officer for UK Black Pride. She was recently hi-lighted for her work in the LGBTQ+ community featuring on The Guardian’s ‘Pride Power’ list.
Atif Choudhury
Atif Choudhury is an award-winning social entrepreneur with a background in economic justice and disability inclusion. Focusing on the inclusion of marginalised communities, Atif has worked on high-profile social development projects across the world. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Diversity and Ability and Zaytoun CiC (the world's first Fairtrade Palestinian olive oil cooperative), Advisor to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Rapid assistive technologies board (RATB), and Trustee for Disability Rights UK.
Dr Mary Doherty
Dr Mary Doherty is a Consultant Anaesthetist with over 20 years of experience in health services. She founded the peer support and advocacy groups Autistic Doctors International and Autistic Med Students. She seeks to improve healthcare outcomes for the autistic community and to challenge the tragedy narrative and stigma associated with autism.
Dr Elliott Spaeth
Dr Elliott Spaeth is a Lecturer in Academic and Digital Development at the University of Glasgow. He specialises in inclusive learning and teaching in Higher Education, which involves helping lecturers think about how they can teach in a way that allows all their students to thrive. He is trans, disabled and neurodivergent.
