If you are neurodivergent it can often feel lonely and like no one else understands how you see and process the world.

If you are neurotypical it can often be hard to understand all the barriers someone who is neurodivergent has to overcome on a daily basis.

In this open and honest panel discussion you will hear from staff and students at the University who hope by talking about their experiences of being diagnosed, understanding autism and finding ways to cope and work in academia will help raise awareness and understanding.

Panellists include:

Dr Kate Hammond

Kate has been a Lecturer in Life Sciences since 2011, and program director for Genetics BSc since 2013. Before that she was a post-doctoral researcher in developmental genetics at Sheffield University. Kate was diagnosed as autistic three and a half years ago and being identified as autistic has had a very positive impact for Kate, both inside and outside of work. Suddenly a lot of things started to made sense! Since then she has completed a PGcert in autism and asperger's syndrome, which introduced her to the concept of neurodiversity. This has been hugely empowering and inspired her to organise the faculty to take part in neurodiversity celebration week this year. She also likes bears. A lot.

Dr Alice Howarth

Alice has been with the University of Liverpool since she began her undergraduate degree in 2008. Since then she has completed her masters degree and PhD with the University and a number of post-doctoral positions. Alice self diagnosed autistic four years ago when she was referred for assessment and was formally diagnosed last year having been on a waiting list for the intervening time. Alice also has a condition which is common in women with autism which has also affected her academic journey. She will talk about her experiences navigating academia as an undiagnosed, self-diagnosed and diagnosed autistic person while juggling other health concerns that can be linked to autism.

Melissa Chapple

Melissa has been studying at the University of Liverpool since starting her undergraduate degree in 2013. Since then, she has completed a masters degree and is currently undertaking a PhD at the University. Her PhD explores the value of reading as a way to challenge deficit views and subsequent stigmatisation of autistic people. Melissa has worked at the University as a research associate and continuing education lecturer during her time studying here. She was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 18 and uses her own experiences to motivate her research work.

Sophie Williams

Sophie studied her BSc at the University of Liverpool graduating in 2020 and is now studying a MA in mental health at LJMU. Alongside this she is a research assistant intern on projects looking at the value of reading as a way to challenged deficit views and stigma of autistic people for Melissa Chapple (also on the panel). Her own research projects focus on parental carers of autistic people and support. Outside of studies she has taught at Continuing Education on Neurodiversity and guest lectured on Autism and her own experiences at LJMU, also spends time working with parents where she can. She was diagnosed at 15 and also has various mental health conditions to add more things to navigate as well as a deep love of highland cows which in various forms of decor have consumed the space in her room.

Zoom details will be emailed to you if you are registered on the day of the event

This event will be Chaired by Gareth Siggee, Disability and Wellbeing Officer within HR. If you have any questions about the event or need any adjustments to access the event please contact Gareth.Siggee@liverpool.ac.uk

Autistic in Academia: Lecturer, researcher and student lived experiences