First‑of‑its‑kind partnership with National Neurodiversity Training to equip 300 managers with the skills to strengthen support for neurodivergent colleagues.
The University of Birmingham has launched a landmark partnership with National Neurodiversity Training to empower more than 300 managers with the skills, confidence, and insight to support neurodivergent colleagues – demonstrating the University’s continued commitment to inclusive leadership and a workplace where all staff can thrive.
Around one in five people are neurodivergent, including those with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism. This flagship collaboration positions Birmingham as a sector leader in developing best‑practice approaches to supporting neurodivergent colleagues, ensuring that managers have the tools and understanding to recognise individual strengths and foster supportive working environments.
Monique Myers, Director of Employee Equality, Inclusion and Wellbeing, said:
“Our university’s strength lies in the diversity of talent that shapes our research, teaching and professional services. Supporting neuroinclusive practice is fundamental to unlocking that talent. Through this partnership, we are equipping our managers with the knowledge and confidence to lead in ways that foster innovation, wellbeing and excellence.”
Iveta Pudilova, Founder and CEO of National Neurodiversity Training, said:
“As a Birmingham alumna and someone who is autistic, I’m incredibly excited that National Neurodiversity Training is partnering on this programme with the University. We often see managers who want to support their teams but are scared of saying the wrong thing, or may not understand how neurodiversity relates to team success. On average, we improve manager confidence by 94% – we're excited to achieve even better results at the University of Birmingham during this pilot.”
Our university’s strength lies in the diversity of talent that shapes our research, teaching and professional services. Supporting neuroinclusive practice is fundamental to unlocking that talent. Through this partnership, we are equipping our managers with the knowledge and confidence to lead in ways that foster innovation, wellbeing and excellence.
The programme begins with an in-person launch day on the Edgbaston campus on 20 April, bringing together senior University leaders, including Provost and Vice-Principal Nick Vaughan-Williams, alongside lived‑experience speakers from across the institution and experts from National Neurodiversity Training. The event will establish a shared understanding of neurodiversity, outline the training journey, and highlight the University’s commitment to building a culture where diverse ways of thinking are valued and celebrated.
As a Birmingham alumna and someone who is autistic, I’m incredibly excited that National Neurodiversity Training is partnering on this programme with the University. We often see managers who want to support their teams but are scared of saying the wrong thing, or may not understand how neurodiversity relates to team success. On average, we improve manager confidence by 94% – we're excited to achieve even better results at the University of Birmingham during this pilot.
Following the launch, participating managers will engage in a blend of live webinars and self‑paced learning through to summer 2026. All content has been co-designed by the University, including the Neurodiversity Staff Network, and National Neurodiversity Training to ensure the programme is Birmingham-specific, impactful, and aligned with the University’s ambitions for meaningful behavioural change.
This initiative supports the University’s 2025–2028 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and 2030 Strategic Framework, reinforcing commitments to inclusive working practices, diverse talent development, and embedding accessibility across the institution.
For more information, please contact the Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)121 414 2772.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is proud to be rooted in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century.
National Neurodiversity Training is a specialist provider of lived‑experience‑led training programmes designed to help organisations build neuroinclusive cultures. Founded by neurodivergent experts, the organisation partners with employers across the UK to equip leaders with practical tools, confidence and evidence‑based strategies to support neurodivergent colleagues and unlock talent within their teams.
Provost and Vice-Principal
Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams FAcSS is Provost and Vice-Principal at the University of Birmingham.
