Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction

Alex Tcherdakoff; Grace Stangroome; Ashlee Milton; Catherine Holloway; Marta E. Cecchinato; Antonella Nonnis; Tessa Eagle; Dena Al Thani; Hwajung Hong; Rua M. Williams

doi:10.1145/3706599.3716288

Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction

Alex Tcherdakoff
, Grace Stangroome
, Ashlee Milton
, Catherine Holloway
, Marta E. Cecchinato
, Antonella Nonnis
, Tessa Eagle
, Dena Al Thani
, Hwajung Hong
, Rua M. Williams

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

2 Citations (Scopus)

57 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Academia is primarily structured around neurotypical norms, posing significant challenges for neurodivergent academics, who often face additional barriers that hinder their success. This Special Interest Group (SIG) examines the experiences of neurodiverse researchers in Human-Computer Interaction and explores how HCI can contribute to more inclusive academic environments. By bringing together HCI researchers, neurodiverse academics, and allies, this SIG aims to develop strategies for a more neurodivergent-inclusive, affirming, and supportive academic landscape. Since enhanced well-being can boost productivity, addressing these challenges may unlock greater research output and contributions, particularly by harnessing the talent and creativity of neurodivergent individuals. We will focus on challenges faced across career stages and roles (from students to senior academics, research to teaching staff), and explore the role of technology in academia — assessing how it alleviates and exacerbates barriers. Additionally, we aim to critically examine how policies and governance within the HCI community impact neurodiversity inclusion.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery
Number of pages	5
ISBN (Electronic)	9798400713958
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3706599.3716288
Publication status	Published - 25 Apr 2025
Event	The ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2025 - Yokohama, Japan Duration: 26 Apr 2025 → 1 May 2025 https://chi2025.acm.org/

Publication series

Name	Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings
Publisher	ACM
ISSN (Electronic)	2159-6468

Conference

Conference	The ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2025
Abbreviated title	CHI 2025
Country/Territory	Japan
City	Yokohama
Period	26/04/25 → 1/05/25
Internet address	https://chi2025.acm.org/

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

Access to Document

10.1145/3706599.3716288

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Tcherdakoff, A., Stangroome, G., Milton, A., Holloway, C., Cecchinato, M. E., Nonnis, A., Eagle, T., Al Thani, D., Hong, H., & Williams, R. M. (2025). Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction. In CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Article 860 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3706599.3716288

Tcherdakoff, Alex ; Stangroome, Grace ; Milton, Ashlee et al. / Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia : Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction. CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Association for Computing Machinery, 2025. (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

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title = "Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction",

abstract = "Academia is primarily structured around neurotypical norms, posing significant challenges for neurodivergent academics, who often face additional barriers that hinder their success. This Special Interest Group (SIG) examines the experiences of neurodiverse researchers in Human-Computer Interaction and explores how HCI can contribute to more inclusive academic environments. By bringing together HCI researchers, neurodiverse academics, and allies, this SIG aims to develop strategies for a more neurodivergent-inclusive, affirming, and supportive academic landscape. Since enhanced well-being can boost productivity, addressing these challenges may unlock greater research output and contributions, particularly by harnessing the talent and creativity of neurodivergent individuals. We will focus on challenges faced across career stages and roles (from students to senior academics, research to teaching staff), and explore the role of technology in academia — assessing how it alleviates and exacerbates barriers. Additionally, we aim to critically examine how policies and governance within the HCI community impact neurodiversity inclusion.",

author = "Alex Tcherdakoff and Grace Stangroome and Ashlee Milton and Catherine Holloway and Cecchinato, \{Marta E.\} and Antonella Nonnis and Tessa Eagle and \{Al Thani\}, Dena and Hwajung Hong and Williams, \{Rua M.\}",

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doi = "10.1145/3706599.3716288",

language = "English",

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Tcherdakoff, A , Stangroome, G, Milton, A, Holloway, C, Cecchinato, ME, Nonnis, A, Eagle, T, Al Thani, D, Hong, H & Williams, RM 2025, Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction. in CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems., 860, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, Association for Computing Machinery, The ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2025, Yokohama, Japan, 26/04/25. https://doi.org/10.1145/3706599.3716288

Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction. / Tcherdakoff, Alex ; Stangroome, Grace; Milton, Ashlee et al.
CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Association for Computing Machinery, 2025. 860 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

TY - GEN

T1 - Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia

T2 - The ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2025

AU - Tcherdakoff, Alex

AU - Stangroome, Grace

AU - Milton, Ashlee

AU - Holloway, Catherine

AU - Cecchinato, Marta E.

AU - Nonnis, Antonella

AU - Eagle, Tessa

AU - Al Thani, Dena

AU - Hong, Hwajung

AU - Williams, Rua M.

PY - 2025/4/25

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N2 - Academia is primarily structured around neurotypical norms, posing significant challenges for neurodivergent academics, who often face additional barriers that hinder their success. This Special Interest Group (SIG) examines the experiences of neurodiverse researchers in Human-Computer Interaction and explores how HCI can contribute to more inclusive academic environments. By bringing together HCI researchers, neurodiverse academics, and allies, this SIG aims to develop strategies for a more neurodivergent-inclusive, affirming, and supportive academic landscape. Since enhanced well-being can boost productivity, addressing these challenges may unlock greater research output and contributions, particularly by harnessing the talent and creativity of neurodivergent individuals. We will focus on challenges faced across career stages and roles (from students to senior academics, research to teaching staff), and explore the role of technology in academia — assessing how it alleviates and exacerbates barriers. Additionally, we aim to critically examine how policies and governance within the HCI community impact neurodiversity inclusion.

AB - Academia is primarily structured around neurotypical norms, posing significant challenges for neurodivergent academics, who often face additional barriers that hinder their success. This Special Interest Group (SIG) examines the experiences of neurodiverse researchers in Human-Computer Interaction and explores how HCI can contribute to more inclusive academic environments. By bringing together HCI researchers, neurodiverse academics, and allies, this SIG aims to develop strategies for a more neurodivergent-inclusive, affirming, and supportive academic landscape. Since enhanced well-being can boost productivity, addressing these challenges may unlock greater research output and contributions, particularly by harnessing the talent and creativity of neurodivergent individuals. We will focus on challenges faced across career stages and roles (from students to senior academics, research to teaching staff), and explore the role of technology in academia — assessing how it alleviates and exacerbates barriers. Additionally, we aim to critically examine how policies and governance within the HCI community impact neurodiversity inclusion.

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DO - 10.1145/3706599.3716288

M3 - Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

T3 - Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

BT - CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

PB - Association for Computing Machinery

Y2 - 26 April 2025 through 1 May 2025

ER -

Tcherdakoff A , Stangroome G, Milton A, Holloway C, Cecchinato ME, Nonnis A et al. Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction. In CHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Association for Computing Machinery. 2025. 860. (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). doi: 10.1145/3706599.3716288

Designing for Neurodiversity in Academia: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction

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