Mentorship Scheme 2025

What is it?

Our mentorship scheme is a non-hierarchical research partnership programme that pairs neurodivergent researchers from different career stages to experiment and explore accessible research methodologies together. 

Why are we doing this?

While universities encourage their staff to think about neurodiversity in the classroom, there has not been the same drive to diversify research practices. We believe that the contemporary academy is an inaccessible and exclusionary space for neurodivergent researchers. We have been encouraged to work and present according to the neurotypical standards of the institution and, in doing so, we are forced to work in parameters of ‘deficit’.  We want to find inclusive ways of inhabiting the academy that enables and empowers us to work in ways that center and support our neurodivergence. We want to demonstrate the value of doing our research on our own terms in order to thrive. 

Who is it for?

The mentorship scheme is intended for any researcher working in the arts and humanities with an interest in devising and experimenting with accessible research practices. 

We expect that most mentees postgraduate researchers who identify as neurodivergent. Mentors will be researchers from postdoctoral level or above who either identify as neurodivergent or as an ally. 

The distinction between mentor and mentee is based on time within the institution rather than expertise. For both mentors and mentees, this should be a collaborative partnership. 

We accept applications from individuals who are currently not affiliated with an institution. We also believe in the validity of self-diagnosis, but will not ask applicants to disclose specific diagnostic status beyond identification as neurodivergent. 

How will my application be assessed?

Applications for the mentorship scheme will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Suitability of potential mentors/mentees – this considers the access needs, preferences for language, communication styles and disciplinary backgrounds, and time-zones in which applicants are based in.
• Links with the humanities – whilst you do not have to be based within a humanities department in order to apply, the application form asks how you understand your work to link with the humanities / the work of the Neurodivergent Humanities Network’s activities.
• The availability of mentors – we expect to receive a significantly higher number of mentee applications than mentor applications. If you are applying to be a mentee, and you have a mentor in mind, please do encourage them to fill out the mentor application form!

What Should I Expect?

The mentorship scheme will last one year from summer 2025. The mentee-mentor pairings/groups will be encouraged to collaborate on a piece of work of a scale and topic that  is agreed between yourselves. We would like you to use this scheme as a way of exploring accessible forms of doing and presenting research, perhaps through non-traditional forms, such as film or zines. We encourage you to meet online for monthly check-ins and we ask that you produce some content based on your collaborations for our website. 

How do I apply? 

Information here is related to round 2 of the mentoring scheme (2025/26). Applications for the scheme are now open, and will close on 5th May 2025, at 23:59 UK time.

Email neurodivergenthumanities@gmail.com with any questions. 

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