Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Neurodivergent in STEM

In 2019, I started ‘Neurodivergent in STEM’ to raise the profiles of neurodivergent people in STEM fields and celebrate neurodivergent strengths. As an autistic person in physics, I had no openly autistic role models who I could relate to, so I wanted to create a place where young neurodivergent people could go to see themselves in STEM.

The project is community-driven and features self-submitted stories as well as profiles of public figures. We also share blog posts exploring neurodivergent experiences in STEM, providing information about neurodiversity and discussing best practices for ensuring that STEM fields are more neuroinclusive.

Equality, diversity and inclusion activities

I am an active participant in various EDI activities in the UK STEM and science communication community. These are generally focused on disability, neurodiversity, and mental health due to my lived experiences. Some specific EDI activities include:

Networks and committees:

University of Surrey neurodiversity network: Founder, staff network co-chair and manager of the ‘Neurodiversity at Surrey’ blog (2021-2023)
Intersectional PhD Peer Support network (IPPSnet) committee: Peer support and mentoring coordinator- South East Physics Network (2021-2023)
University of Surrey Liberation Network: Member (2021-2023)
Student Minds Student Advisory Committee: Member (2022)
University of Surrey Physics department equality, diversity and inclusion committee: PGR representative (2019-2021)
University of Surrey Women in Physics Society committee: Founder and President (2019-2020)

Projects, Events & Conferences:

Neurodivergent in STEM: founder and manager (2019-present)
Open Dialogues across Physics and Astronomy conference: organizing committee member and accessibility chair (2022)
‘Navigating Neurodiversity’ University of Surrey Library Student Curator Project (March 2022)

Talks and panels:

Reflections on being an autistic physics research student (Q&A): Q&A for the STEMinist Network in Maths and Physics, Queen's University Belfast [remote] (13 April 2022)
Neurodiversity: The Transition to Further & Higher Education: Panelist, Neurodiversity Celebration Week (25 March 2022)
Inspirational Women in STEM: Contributed to a session for STEM Learning on female role models in STEM (8 March 2022)
SEND Conference for STEM teachers: short talk and Q&A for STEM Learning (3 February 2022)
Navigating Neurodiversity: talk for University College Cork Equal Physics Opportunities Network in Academia, University College Cork (18 October 2021)
Neurodiversity in STEM: talk for St Andrews Disabled Students Network for Disability Pride Week, University of St Andrews (4 October 2021)
My experiences as an autistic physicist: talk for the Transpennine STEM Ambassador Hub’s Neuro and Physical Diversity Forum (8 July 2021)
Finding comfort in physics and embracing my neurodivergent mind: talk for the Institute of Physics Early Career Physics Communicator Award Ceremony (29 June 2021)
Neurodiversity inclusion in physics: talk for the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology EDI session, Durham University (9 June 2021)
‘Neurodivergent in STEM: Empowering NeuroMinorities in STEM’: talk at University of Edinburgh (22nd April 2021)

Writing:

Reasonable adjustments as a disabled PhD student | Postgraduate Life at Surrey (March 2022)
Five reasons why I’m open about being autistic | Notes from the Physics Lab (April 2021)
Finding Self-Acceptance: Autism Spectrum Disorder and a PhD | Voices of Academia (January 2021)
Embracing neurodiversity in science | Science on a Postcard (October 2020)
Managing mental health as an autistic person | Exceptional Induviduals (October 2020)
Accessing disability and neurodiversity support as a postgraduate student | Postgraduate life at Surrey (October 2020)
Physics in the pandemic: ‘Returning to the lab will be hugely beneficial for me’ | Physics World (May 2020)
How I became a quantum physics researcher | Notes from the Physics Lab (January 2020)
A Journey to Diagnosis | Student Minds Blog (January 2019)

I also regularly engage with the media, talking about my work and equality, diversity, and inclusion topics. I think it’s important to discuss diversity and inclusion topics to raise awareness around how we can help the next generation of scientists thrive. I’m particularly passionate about advocating for accessibility and reasonable adjustments for disabled people in STEM, as I have had to fight hard for myself.