This project involved the collaboration of neurodivergent staff members with neurodivergent undergraduate students to co-develop/co-deliver an experiential workshop on neurodivergence. This workshop was conceptualised in May 2023 by Katie, Kirsten and Marcin, emerging out of our own experiences of being neurodivergent and working with neurodivergent students and was inspired by a workshop Katie attended in March 2023 (at the ITAKOM conference). It is foregrounded in the concepts of ‘neurodivergent intersubjectivity’, seeking to capitulate on shared understanding which emerges between neurodivergent people, and ‘compassionate pedagogy’ (Hamilton and Petty, 2023), wishing to foster compassion and empathy amongst presumed neurotypical UCC staff. The pilot phase was gratefully funded by SATLE (small grant) and involved collaboration with a pilot cohort of students to co-produce said workshop. Our aim for this project (2024/25) was to build upon the initial design of the workshop and to involve a wider cohort of neurodivergent students alongside a neurotypical ally/staff member (Deirdre) to redesign and co-deliver the workshop for UCC staff members through co-production. This project began in May 2024 and was concluded in June 2025; involving a four stage process (unFocus groups; a follow-up survey, content creation sessions; and the delivery of the workshop).

