The University of Liverpool hosted its inaugural Neurodiversity Symposium in the Tung Auditorium last week, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding. The event garnered overwhelming praise from attendees, who left feeling more informed, empowered, and inspired.
The Neurodiversity Symposium brought together staff and students from across the University for a day filled with enlightening discussions, engaging presentations, and invaluable networking opportunities. The stellar line-up of speakers, including experts in the field and individuals with lived experience, provided unique insights into neurodivergent experiences and offered practical strategies for creating more inclusive environments.
External speakers, including the CEOs of the ADHD Foundation and Do-IT Solutions, the lead for the UK&I Neurodiverse Centre of Excellence at EY, and the Director of Strategy Performance and Transformation at Glasgow University, gave valuable perspectives on how neuroinclusion can be achieved in the academic sector. Great British Bake Off’s Lizzie Ackers also spoke during the day.
The symposium was designed to be inclusive, running in a hybrid format. For those who attended in person, quiet rooms were available throughout the day, and traffic light badges could be worn to signal delegates communication preferences.
Participants of the symposium expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of neurodiversity and learn how to better support neurodivergent individuals within the University community. Many shared stories of personal growth and newfound perspectives, highlighting the positive impact of the event on their outlook and approach towards neurodiversity.
Professor Judy Coulson, Deputy APVC and Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Lead in the Faculty in Health and Life Sciences (HLS), said “It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm for the symposium, with over 280 staff and students registering to attend in person or online. We were delighted that our Vice Chancellor and Katherine Fairclough (Chief Executive at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) could join us to talk about continuing progress towards neuroinclusion at the university and more widely in our region. A huge thanks to all our speakers, and to Jenna Kenyani, Kate Hammond, Adele Curley, Chrissy Birch, the HLS EDI team, and colleagues from across the University who made this event such a success.”
In a significant development arising from the success of the symposium, Blackwells announced plans to launch a weekly Neurodivergent Friendly quiet hour. Starting on 3 April, every Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the bookshop and café will provide a calm and welcoming environment for neurodivergent individuals to browse and explore their extensive collection of books.
Furthermore, Blackwells will showcase a range of books highlighting lived experiences of neurodivergent life, covering topics such as living with and exploring being neurodivergent, as well as teaching, coaching, and supporting neurodiverse students. Additionally, the bookshop will continue to extend a 10% discount to all University staff, further enhancing accessibility to these valuable resources.
The announcement of the weekly quiet hour and the expanded book selection at Blackwells compliments the University’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members of its community. By providing access to resources and spaces that celebrate neurodiversity, the University aims to foster a culture of acceptance, understanding, and empowerment.