Support for neurodivergent PGRs

• The Student Disability Service can provide a range of support for neurodivergent PGRs, including help with applying for the Disabled Students Allowance and getting a Reasonable Adjustment Plan.

• The University has lots of study spaces across campus, including bookable rooms for group study.

• The Research Skills Team offers a range of workshops and training opportunities for PGRs, including productivity workshops, working effectively with supervisors, and co-working sessions. You can also book for a one-to-one appointment.

• Neurodivergent PGRs may also be interested in joining the University Graduate School’s online group coaching programme, which allows you to meet other PGRs and work through common issues that researchers face.

• The Mental Health and Wellbeing Service also offers a range of support.

• The Careers Network offers a range of services to help neurodivergent students gain work experience and employment.

• The Students’ Association for Neurodivergence, Disability, and Mental Health (SANDAM) is a Guild of Students group for all students who identify as disabled. PGRs are also welcome to join other Guild of Students societies and groups.

• PGRs are welcome to join the Enabling Staff Network, which provides a forum for disabled staff to share their experiences and work in partnership with the University to improve services.

• Neurodivergent PGRs may also be interested in joining the University Graduate School’s online group coaching programme, which allows you to meet other PGRs and work through common issues that researchers face.

• The University Graduate School holds regular, inclusive community-building events, including online, interest-based, and quiet socials, with its friendly UGS (PGR) Scholars – find out more on Eventbrite!

In addition to the above internal support, there is lots of support from outside the University that neurodivergent PGRs may find useful:

• The Neurodiverse postgrad researchers network is a volunteer-run peer-support network which aims to help Neurodivergent postgraduate students and researchers to connect with each other, and to share resources and information that might be helpful.
• The Society for Neurodiversity (S4Nd) offers a range of services and support groups for neurodivergent people and their families.
• The Arts of Change Trust has a list of neurodiversity and autism-friendly days out in the West Midlands.
• Autism West Midlands has a range of events and services for autistic people and their families.

• “Once you get started, ask people to grab coffee together! To me, this has been the easiest way to get to know people in an informal way. I recommend the Library café, Muirhead café, or the Costa in Sport and Fitness, as they’re more ‘autism-friendly’!”
  - Second Year MRes Student

• “I was able to build my community of friends through a combination of going to societies related to my interests, and finding like-minded people on my course. I’d really recommend finding an interest that will let you bring your group together regularly; when you have friends who know you very well, they can be your biggest supporters.”
  - First Year PhD Student

• “Neurodivergent people are capable of tremendous passion and dedication to their areas of focus, which makes them fantastic advocated and – guess what – remarkable scholars. Postgraduate work requires such self-motivation over a long time, so hold fast to your sparks that light your passion for what you do! You can even make physical reminders, like post-its around your workspace with inspiring and exciting moments you’ve encountered on your postgraduate journey.”
  - Third Year PhD Student