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The Centre for Neurodiversity Research at Work presents: An evening with Judy Singer

When: —
Venue: Birkbeck Clore Management Centre

Judy Singer, Grand Dame of the Neurodiversity Movement is in London to receive an honorary fellowship from Birkbeck University of London in recognition of her seminal work. The Centre for Neurodiversity Research at Work, based in the School of BEI at Birkbeck, are hosting an open evening for our students, industry partners and Advisory Board members to meet Judy and engage in the current debates and progress in the field.

Judy is joined by the Directors of the Centre, Professor Almuth McDowall, Department of Organizational Psychology and Professor Nancy Doyle, Visiting Professor and Chief Research Officer Genius Within following release of findings from their national survey on the State of the Neurodiversity in Business Sector. 

This is a one-off opportunity to meet Judy and receive a signed copy of her book NeuroDiversity: The Birth of an Idea. Judy's book birthed a movement, an inclusion practice, and a paradigm shift in science. 

This event will take place in person and the panel discussion will be followed by a book signing and drinks reception. 

Itinerary

18:00 – Arrival

18:10 – In Conversation with Judy Singer

19:00 – Group Discussion and Q&A from the audience

19:20 - Book Signing

19:30 – Drinks Reception in the Clore Foyer

 

Biography

Judy Singer is an Australian sociologist credited with coining the term “Neurodiversity” in 1997-8 while completing an Honours Thesis at the University of Technology, Sydney. Her thesis, subtitled “a personal exploration of a new social movement based on “neurological diversity”, was the first non- psychomedical academic work to map out what was proving to be the last great civil rights movement to emerge from the 20th century. The movement was based on the pioneering work of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Movement, which was being joined by other neurological minorities who clearly needed a catchy, authoritative banner term

The idea grew out of her lived experience in middle of 3 generations of women whom she then described as “somewhere on the autistic spectrum”.

Like many people “on the spectrum” and especially as a woman seeking work in the early 1970s, Judy experienced difficulty finding employment. Fortunately, like many autistics, she was able to find a career in the burgeoning new field of IT which opened up a new world of opportunities for women.

When Judy became a parent with a child who appeared to have a “mysterious” disability, her carer responsibilities compelled her to give up her career. Instead she went back to University to pursue her true interests: anthropology and sociology.

Judy has a long career in community organizing: she was the founder, via the internet, of the world's first support group for people raised by autistic parent, became the secretary of Sydney’s largest support group for the parents of autistic children and a co-founder of Sydney’s only independent social club for teenagers on the spectrum. She was elected a director of Shelter NSW, Australia’s peak body for housing justice but since the rediscovery of her work in 2017, she has been fully occupied with advocacy within the Neurodiversity discourse.

Event Sponsors 

Genius Within CIC is a social enterprise established by Professor Nancy Doyle in 2011 to help neurominorities unlock their talents, whilst acknowledging and celebrating that this diversity forms part of the rich tapestry of human experience.

We advise governments on policy and provide consultancy to businesses, driving systemic change that allows all employees to thrive. We provide in-work support in the form of coaching, training and assessments. We also support neurodivergent thinkers who are not in the workplace, who might be studying, unemployed or in the criminal justice system.

Haleon are a world-leading consumer health company with a clear purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity.

Haleon represents leading brands are built on science, innovation and human understanding and are trusted by millions of consumers globally. Haleon has a strong portfolio of brands and is well positioned to play a vital role for people all around the world, in a sector that is growing and more relevant than ever.

We are committed to making everyday health more inclusive, reducing our environmental impact, and operating with ethical, responsible, and transparent behaviours and standards of conduct.

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