Navigating higher education (HE) is difficult for any student, but for those who don’t fit the traditional mould – whether due to neurodivergence, disability, other protected characteristics or any combination of the above – the journey is fraught with additional obstacles. These obstacles shape our academic and personal lives in ways that are often hard to fully grasp if you don’t share some of those characteristics.

My own story, complete with an autism diagnosis just before adulthood, and the onset of a debilitating chronic pain condition, has been one of resilience, discovery and advocacy. As I’ve moved through the world of HE, I’ve seen first-hand how systemic barriers can hinder progress and damage wellbeing. That said, I’ve seen how these challenges can be a catalyst to drive change for those too stubborn to accept systemic barriers preventing people from reaching their full potential. This is not just a recounting of my story so far, but a call-to-action for a more inclusive and compassionate educational environment for all.