Monday, 29 March 2021
Autistic students at the University of Nottingham are featured in a series of short videos released to improve the understanding and acceptance of autism.
The four short videos have been released to coincide with World Autism Week (29th March – 4th April) and feature the students discussing myths around autism and giving their own personal perspective. Myths they cover include: autistic people prefer to be on their own, autistic people love maths and science and autistic people are all unemotional.
The project was led by PhD student Ellen Howard from the School of Psychology who helps to coordinate the Autism Social Network at the University which aims to create a sense of community amongst autistic students through social events and advocacy projects.
Ellen said: “During the past year, Covid restrictions have made it very difficult to continue the activities of the network, with many activities going online. However, we were able to make these videos just before Covid hit last year. We wanted to do something positive to support the autistic community and provide a platform for their voices. These videos shine a light on what it’s really like to be an autistic student in Nottingham. We hope these videos will educate people and increase the acceptance of autistic individuals at the university and beyond.”
The videos were previewed as part of the University’s recent Diversity Festival which bought together writers, performers and academics to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the University community.
Martha Roberts, is a third year Zoology student and a member of the Autism Social Network. She played a central role in the development and production of the video project. Martha said: “I got involved because I wanted to help in the provision of awareness and support resources for autistic students who are coming to university. That sense of belonging and that I'd be supported would have been really helpful when I first joined and I'm so glad I can give someone a bit of hope in an otherwise very stressful and overwhelming junction in their lives. I hope the videos will also help break some stereotypes and force the rest of the student body to address the misconceptions they have. Overall, these videos, I hope, will start a discussion around neurodiversity and disability support and I hope will make a welcoming and supportive student-experience for future autistic and neurodiverse students.”
The videos are being shared across on social media platforms and on a new website.
The Autism Social Network is funded by the alumni Cascade fund at the University of Nottingham.
Story credits
More information is available from Ellen Howard on Ellen.Howard@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 951 5751 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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