Disabilities, COVID-19, Higher Education and Future Neurodiversity
Thursday, 30 July 2020
The Staff Disability Network are holding two open online events over the next week - please join us for these two interesting discussions.
Friday 31 July, 11:00-12:30: Disabilities and COVID-19
Dr Nicole Brown from the UCL Institute of Education joins us to discuss the National Association of Disabled Staff Network's (NADSN) position paper on the challenges faced by disabled colleagues due to COVID-19. Nicole will also discuss her forthcoming book, Ableism in Academia: Theorising Experiences of Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses in Higher Education, which will be released in October.
Nicole joined the Network for a coffee morning and discussion last year, and we are delighted to welcome her back to Reading for what is sure to be an interesting discussion.
The event will take place via Microsoft Teams - to take part, please use this link. There is no need to book in advance.
Thursday 6 August, 11:00-12:00: Neurodiversity in 2050
Dr Kai Syng Tan from the Manchester School of Art will present a speculative future of neurodiversity in What could a #neurodiversity-led 2050 look like? Dr Tan has a flair for creativity, and this presentation promises to be as playful as it will be thought-provoking. It will ponder how neurodiversity could truly be diversified, from university curricula through to national medals of service, such as the OBE.
Kai presented her excellent new performance-lecture for the Royal Society of Arts - Virtual Coffeehouse Conversation: Neurodiversity and the Future of Work - earlier this month which was very well received. And through popular demand, we're very lucky to have Kai present to us at Reading.
During this session, we'll also be joined by members of the Neurodiversity In/& Creative Research Network which is led by Kai and Ranjita Dhital of our Staff Disability Network.
The session will take place via Microsoft Teams - to take part, please use this link. Advanced booking is not required.
The Network
Launched in 2017, the Staff Disability Network is an inclusive support network for all staff with a range of disabilities, impairments and / or mental health conditions, as well as non-disabled staff with an interest in disability issues.
They have been very active over recent months, and we will shortly be sharing an update of their activities and priorities in wake of the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.
The Network is chaired by Yota Dimitriadi and Ranjita Dhital, who work closely with the Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr Allan Laville.
We welcome all colleagues into the Network - if you would like to join, please email staffdisability@reading.ac.uk or join the network on Microsoft Teams.