Neurodiversity Celebration Week comes to Open SU

During our March Wellbeing Week, we'll be highlighting Neurodiversity Celebration Week with six fantastic events featuring OU lecturers, graduates and students alike!

bannerNeurodiversity
photo of a floating brain with the neurodiversity week and wellbeing week logos.

From the 16–29 March, our monthly Wellbeing Week focuses on neurodiversity, and we’ve got a bumper schedule of speakers, workshops and social drop-ins for you to enjoy.
 

This year, the Open SU is proud to celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week as part of our themed Wellbeing Week, a series of events dedicated to recognising, uplifting and empowering neurodivergent students across the OU community. The week includes talks with Open University lecturers & graduates, tools and tips to support your studies, and social meet-ups for neurodivergent students, and we can’t wait to see you there.

Check out the full programme of events below, and find out more about the resources available to neurodivergent students and other ongoing events on our Neurodiversity Hub.

Monday 16 March.

Study tips for neurodivergent students

1pm–2pm

Dr. Kim Collett explore some of the common challenges neurodiverse students may face when studying and share practical strategies to overcome them.

Navigating higher education as a neurodivergent person

6.30pm - 7.30pm

OU graduate Samantha shares how she navigated her studies as a neurodivergent person in this relaxed and confidential session.


Tuesday 17 March.

How creativity supports neurodivergent study journeys​

2pm–3pm

Poppy Gibson and Charon Gates share findings from their recent FutureDiversity research project, which used arts-based methodology with neurodivergent young people. 

Teaching as a neurodivergent lecturer

6:30pm–7.30pm

Dr Jon Rainford (ECYS) will be joining us to talk about his journey as a neurodivergent person, and his experiences as both an Open University student and staff member. 

Wednesday 18 March.

Understanding me as a Learner

1pm–2pm

Mel Green introduces her tool Understanding Me as a Learner, a tool helping neurodivergent students communicate their needs without having to repeatedly explain themselves to every new tutor.

Thursday 19 March.

Neurodivergent student drop-in

6:30pm–7:30pm

Student Leadership Team members Natalie and Charon round the week off with a neurodivergent student drop in, a confidential space for all neurodivergent students to connect.