Join us in celebrating neurodiversity at Middlesex University! We invite you to get involved and participate in something special. By embracing diversity in all its forms, you will have the opportunity to be part of an event that celebrates the unique talents and perspectives of neurodiverse students, alumni and staff. Join us as we recognise and honour the strengths and contributions of our neurodiverse community. Let's create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated. The festival will be opened by Professor Julia Clarke, Interim Vice-Chancellor.
The event is open to all: staff, students, local community and friends and is free to attend. Booking is not required and everyone is welcome to turn up on the day.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a good time to reflect on the different ways that our library supports and celebrates neurodiverse learners, colleagues and authors. Pop in to explore our collection.
We understand that events can sometimes be quite busy. This room is a space where you can retreat whenever you feel overwhelmed or overloaded by all the excitement happening in the College Building on the day.
We are delighted to have Professor Julia Clarke, Interim Vice-Chancellor opening this year's Neurodiversity Celebration Festival.
Neurodivergent students from London, Dubai and Mauritius will share insights into their educational journey, discussing their unique experiences and challenges. They will also showcase their strengths and proud accomplishments, inspiring others with their resilience and achievements. There will be an opportunity for audience members to engage with the panellists. This session will be live-streamed to our Dubai and Mauritius Campuses.
About the panellists:
Chickenshed is back this year with a performance led and or/created by students with neuro-diverse lived experiences. The varied and impactful work reflects and embodies the spirit of neurodiverse positivity and barrier-breaking which is being celebrated at the Middlesex Festival itself. Chickenshed joins that celebration and hopes to amplify it through the inclusive work of its students.
Karisa Krcmar - Director of the Professional Association of Specific Learning Difference Specialists Higher Education (PASSHE)
Session: What hinders our wonderful brains from learning?
Karisa has an MBA from Glasgow, an MEd and PhD from Birmingham. After working in a variety of commercial sectors ranging from shipping to ballet, she changed direction, went into teaching adults and became fascinated with why learners don’t learn. She undertook dyslexia teaching and assessor training, followed by CPD focussing on ADHD and Mental Health and became a Specialist Tutor at Loughborough University.
Karisa is a Mindfulness practitioner, and with one of her colleagues, developed and ran mindfulness workshops culminating in the publishing of Mindfulness for Study: From Procrastination to Action. She was the first editor of the Journal of Neurodiversity in Higher Education (ADSHE) and has edited books about inclusive learning and teaching (The Inclusivity Gap) and successful projects for building students’ mental health resilience (Helping Penguins to Swim). Karisa is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has a black belt in Shotokan Karate.
Find out more about the Professional Association of Specific Learning Difference Specialists Higher Education (PASSHE)
The project is called Breaking Free, a dance/interactive performance about neurodiversity involving screen projection, sound and lighting. The performance is about 15-30 minutes long.
The performance consists of 3 parts:
This little production aims to raise awareness of how people with neurodiversity feel and make a connection since everyone has challenges and strong points.
Yasemin Gross is a multidisciplinary actor/performer with neurodivergence and is currently in her 3rd year of BA Hons Theatre Arts at Middlesex University.
A doctorate is often considered the pinnacle of academic education, but not always a space where everyone feels they can belong. This presentation introduces the type of EDI considerations related to postgraduate researchers in the higher education sector, and outlines some preliminary insights of an ongoing review, in collaboration with Advance HE, of our practices and processes in postgraduate research, through the lens of EDI.
Based on the book by Naoki Higashida, this immersive film explores the experiences of non-speaking autistic people around the world. There will also be an opportunity to speak directly to the movie director, Jerry Rothwell, and ask questions about the creative process, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Q&A chaired by Jacob J. Drucker
Explore your creativity with the Lego building activity. The education team will be running a Lego and art workshop to help you explore your creativity and team-building skills.
Participants will be able to try out neurofeedback headsets that measure brain activity to control simple computer games.
An exhibition, by MA Interior students, around the need for quieter spaces along Oxford Street. The proposals focus on how we can adapt our existing built environment to provide refuge and inclusive, quiet spaces for neurodivergent visitors. Displayed work by:
The Tower of Hanoi is a mathematical game or puzzle consisting of three rods and several disks of various diameters, which can slide onto any rod. The puzzle begins with the disks stacked on one rod in order of decreasing size, the smallest at the top, approximating a conical shape.
Climate Crisis - WILDFIRE!’ – a LiiVE Adventure (Live Interactive Immersive Virtual/physical Environment) is an inclusive immersive experience design & production programme for positive social transformation.
Real science and engineering in a compelling immersive hyperlocal story game with live in character problem-solving and complex decision-making by public participants. A mix of immersive theatre, escape room, simulation environment, live-action role-playing and collaborative gaming.
There is a big focus on neuro inclusion through the programme - project leader Wyn Griffiths is autistic, as are 5 others in the team, along with 8 ADHD and 15 other neurodivergent team members.
Barnet Mencap offer a range of support and events for children and adults with a learning disability, autistic people and their families, who live in the London Borough of Barnet
The Disability Support Service (DDS) offer:
The Counselling and Mental Health team are here to support you, You don’t have to wait until you feel completely lost and in crisis before asking for help. To access our services you must be an enrolled student living in the UK and registered with GP/Doctor.
More information coming soon
Pop in to have a chat with the students from these groups.
Explore how assistive technology and equipment can support you in your studies. There will be an opportunity to trial the equipment, see how MindView, Read and Write and other software packages work and you can ask questions to the Posturite experts.
Resources for Autism provides practical support for autistic people, from community support to group activities, therapy sessions, parent support and sibling support.
Find out how this community group works with children and young people to empower and stabilise segregated communities through mentoring, coaching, literature, entertainment, events, and workshops.
More informatio coming soon
The Sanjay Mortimer Foundation (SMF) is a non-profit initiative to find and assist those with neurodivergent minds to realise their potential through the field of engineering.
To succeed in your studies, you will need to become excellent learners and acquire a wide range of academic skills. MDX Learning Enhancement Team works closely with your programme teams to develop and deliver your modules, but you can seek further FREE support from us.
To celebrate the Neurodiversity Festival, the university is hosting a poster competition across all 3 campuses. Students are invited to create a digital poster using any media of their choice which celebrates neurodiversity. You can choose a specific topic.
The winner will be announced on 21 March 2024, please email it to CAS@mdx.ac.ae by 19 March to allow time for printing.
Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel against the following criteria:
Students in Mauritius will participate in the event by being a part of a Panel Discussion and Q&A about their experiences which will be live-streamed from Hendon to Dubai and Mauritius. The discussion will take place at 14:00 MST (10:00 GMT). Panellists: Anuttama Gul Bijmohun, Rommaan Domun.
Schedule (download PDF 168KB):
Monday 18 March – 11.30am - 1pm (local time)
Visit the student support stalls in the open area (Archway). Engage with local NGOs who are supporting neurodivergent individuals
Wednesday 20 March – 12.30 noon - 1.30pm (local time)
Special Students Talk on Neurodiversity, Room: CG01
Thursday 21 March – 12.30 noon - 3pm (local time)
Special Staff Talk on Neurodiversity and Panel Discussion with Q&A on Neurodiversity (live-streamed to Mauritius), Room: TP05 (Trent Park)
'Since childhood, I've harboured a strong interest in acquiring new skills and knowledge, although I've never been fond of reading. Despite this, my curiosity has driven me to explore accounting and nursing before starting my psychology course. Personality-wise, I tend to be introverted, preferring others to initiate interactions rather than approaching them myself.
Currently enrolled at Middlesex University Mauritius, my ambition is to complete my studies and delve deeper into what this psychology course has to offer. Regarding my career, I don't have a fixed goal at the moment; I am focused on achieving personal milestones and continuing to learn until I find my path.'
'I am currently studying BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling Skills at Middlesex University Mauritius campus. It is with great pleasure that I am sharing my journey with you all highlighting all the ups and downs that have made me who I am today.
I would like to thank the Disability Support Service (DSS) Mauritius for allowing me to share my experience as a disabled student at the university.'
Guffran Rostom - Addressing Neurodiversity in the IFP at Middlesex University Mauritius
Karisa Krcmar - What hinders our wonderful brains from learning?
Nico Pizzolato - PGR Diversity and Belonging
Counselling & Mental Health - We can help you understand what Mental Health support is available (both within MDX and outside) and coordinate your access to it.
Disability & Dyslexia Service - If you are affected by a health condition or learning difficulty, we have a guide to all of our support available.
Neurodiversity University Resources Pack - Find the right resources for ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Tourette and others.
A huge thank you to everyone who made our first MDX Neurodiversity Celebration Festival 2023 a resounding success. The festival provided an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the talents, strengths, and unique perspectives of the neurodivergent community. Through Chicken Shed performance, an invaluable interview with Ria Lina, 13+ stalls and activities, 7 online and in-person workshops and countless stimulating discussions, we all have been inspired and educated on the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion. A massive thank you to the staff and students who participated in the event by sharing their stories and experiences via recordings, videos and a podcast.