WORKSHOP | Neurodiversity in the Earth and Environmental Sciences: Awareness to Action

This workshop, hosted by the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee of the VU Earth Sciences Department, will explore neurodiversity in the Earth and Environmental Sciences community. Neurodiversity refers to the range of differences in brain function and behavioral traits, including, but not limited to, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette syndrome. Often, these differences in perspective or processing are not recognized in academic spaces. 

This workshop aims to create an inclusive space for discussion, reflection, and exchange on how neurodivergent students, researchers, and staff in the Earth and Environmental Sciences community experience academic environments. Participants will examine systemic barriers in academia, with attention to Earth and Environmental Sciences contexts such as fieldwork, laboratories, data-intensive research, and collaborative projects. Through personal experiences, facilitated discussions, and interactive scenarios, the workshop will address both individual and institutional responsibilities. The goal is to move beyond awareness toward actionable change. The workshop is intended for anyone in the Earth and Environmental Sciences.