From lived experience to lasting change: using neurodivergent insight to shape inclusive policy and student support

Kirsten Farrell

Abstract

What happens when a senior leader chooses to be openly neurodivergent? This session shares one leader’s journey of visibility, reflection and change, showing how lived experience can transform institutional culture and student support. Drawing on examples from the University of Portsmouth, it explores how openness can influence policy, strengthen belonging and challenge traditional assumptions about leadership and professionalism. Delegates will leave with practical ideas for embedding empathy and authenticity in their own contexts, and for creating environments where inclusion is not only discussed but actively demonstrated.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 25 Mar 2026
Event	Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations - Manchester, United Kingdom Duration: 25 Mar 2026 → 26 Mar 2026 https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/conferences/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-conference

Conference

Conference	Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Manchester
Period	25/03/26 → 26/03/26
Internet address	https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/conferences/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-conference

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

EDI
neurodiversity
student experience
leadership
education

Access to Document

Cite this

Farrell, K. (2026). From lived experience to lasting change: using neurodivergent insight to shape inclusive policy and student support. Abstract from Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations, Manchester, United Kingdom. https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/conferences/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-conference#Recourses

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title = "From lived experience to lasting change: using neurodivergent insight to shape inclusive policy and student support",

abstract = "What happens when a senior leader chooses to be openly neurodivergent? This session shares one leader{\textquoteright}s journey of visibility, reflection and change, showing how lived experience can transform institutional culture and student support. Drawing on examples from the University of Portsmouth, it explores how openness can influence policy, strengthen belonging and challenge traditional assumptions about leadership and professionalism. Delegates will leave with practical ideas for embedding empathy and authenticity in their own contexts, and for creating environments where inclusion is not only discussed but actively demonstrated.",

keywords = "EDI, neurodiversity, student experience, leadership, education",

author = "Kirsten Farrell",

note = "Was unable to attend due to personal reasons so had to withdraw from the conference at short notice. ; Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations ; Conference date: 25-03-2026 Through 26-03-2026",

year = "2026",

month = mar,

day = "25",

language = "English",

url = "https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/conferences/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-conference",

}

Farrell, K 2026, 'From lived experience to lasting change: using neurodivergent insight to shape inclusive policy and student support', Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations, Manchester, United Kingdom, 25/03/26 - 26/03/26. <https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/programmes-events/conferences/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-conference#Recourses>

From lived experience to lasting change: using neurodivergent insight to shape inclusive policy and student support. / Farrell, Kirsten.
2026. Abstract from Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

TY - CONF

T1 - From lived experience to lasting change: using neurodivergent insight to shape inclusive policy and student support

AU - Farrell, Kirsten

N1 - Was unable to attend due to personal reasons so had to withdraw from the conference at short notice.

PY - 2026/3/25

Y1 - 2026/3/25

N2 - What happens when a senior leader chooses to be openly neurodivergent? This session shares one leader’s journey of visibility, reflection and change, showing how lived experience can transform institutional culture and student support. Drawing on examples from the University of Portsmouth, it explores how openness can influence policy, strengthen belonging and challenge traditional assumptions about leadership and professionalism. Delegates will leave with practical ideas for embedding empathy and authenticity in their own contexts, and for creating environments where inclusion is not only discussed but actively demonstrated.

AB - What happens when a senior leader chooses to be openly neurodivergent? This session shares one leader’s journey of visibility, reflection and change, showing how lived experience can transform institutional culture and student support. Drawing on examples from the University of Portsmouth, it explores how openness can influence policy, strengthen belonging and challenge traditional assumptions about leadership and professionalism. Delegates will leave with practical ideas for embedding empathy and authenticity in their own contexts, and for creating environments where inclusion is not only discussed but actively demonstrated.

KW - EDI

KW - neurodiversity

KW - student experience

KW - leadership

KW - education

M3 - Abstract

T2 - Advance HE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2026 : Embedding EDI in Higher Education: Tradition Retold, Borrowed Insights, and Bold Innovations

Y2 - 25 March 2026 through 26 March 2026

ER -