CW: This episode contains references to the COVID pandemic, plus mentions of prescription drug use, sex, and alcohol consumption (in particular at timestamps 11:47-11:51 and 18:25-18:36)

About the episode:

Sarah is an award-winning Learning Developer at the University of Manchester library, and a member of the UK Neurodivergent Library and Information Staff Network (NLISN). She’s also part of a growing pool of University of Manchester staff and students who have come on the show!

In this episode, Sarah shares her story through multiple Manchester HEIs, including the University of Salford, University Campus Oldham, and the University of Manchester. We discuss the vices and maladaptive coping mechanisms that Sarah (like other undiagnosed neurodivergent students) turned to in order to self-medicate; Sarah's triple life as a librarian, teacher, and student; and how late neurodivergent diagnoses have shaped her professional networks and practices nowadays.

Thank you so much for tuning in. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

Previous episodes with guests from the University of Manchester (Spotify links):

⁠38. Lecturing Through Burnout, Staff Advocacy, and Thriving in the Right Environment: Katie's Story⁠

⁠34. Using Power for Positive Change, Taking the Unconventional Path, and Talking Disability at Manchester: Prof. Jackie Carter’s Story

43. Diagnosed by TikTok, Rebuilding Self-Trust, and Bouncing Back from Systematic Failures: Kai’s Story

HE Enabled links:

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CW: This episode contains passing references to the COVID pandemic.

About the episode:

Thea is a student at the University of Bristol, where she is studying for a BSc in Social Policy and Politics. She is currently taking part in the Change 100 internship programme, and is preparing to start a master’s in evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation at Oxford.

In this episode of HE Enabled, Thea shares her experience of university with both ADHD and arthritis. We explore how shared care agreements necessitated a second ADHD diagnosis for Thea, how she balances her work with fluctuating health conditions, and the safeguards that she puts in place to protect her wellbeing. There is also plenty of nerding out about social policy, and a confused rant from Cath about why people don't register with their uni GP!

Thanks so much to Thea for coming on the show. Enjoy this episode? You can listen to the next episode of HE Enbled right now via the Patreon link below.

HE Enabled links:

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Abhishek is a student at Queen Mary, University of London, where he is currently studying for an MRes in Human Rights Law. He also received his LLB and LLM degrees from QMUL. I had the pleasure of meeting Abhishek late last year, and spoke alongside him at the Disability History Month event hosted by Dan (a previous guest and friend of the show).

We spent this episode discussing Abhishek's experience as an international disabled student. Hailing from India, Abhishek arrived at QMUL in 2021 to read for an LLB. He quickly learned the cultural differences in our physical landscapes as a blind student (security carded doors are less common in India, for example), as well the differences in provision between him and home students with DSA access. Cath also learns about how extracurriculars and societies have been difficult to access for Abhishek, owing to them being managed by different departments within his university. We also find out why Abhishek is choosing to stay in academia to read human rights law!

Listen to other guests who also spoke at the QMUL Disability History Month Event (Spotify links):

17. Managing Diabetes, Student Voice, and Researching Safe AI use for Insulin Pumps: Tom’s Story

25. Researching Autistic Experiences, Accessible Train Stations, and Bringing Disabled Students Together: Daniel’s Story

26. Disabled Representation in Architecture School, Late Diagnoses, and the Ideal Student Fallacy: Sarah's Story

28. Depression in the Neurodivergent Global Majority, Five Degrees, and the Transformative Nature of Adjustments: Emma’s Story

Cath's story (in two parts)

Episode 1- My Story

22. HEnabled: One Year On. My Story (Finale), Show Updates, and a Call to Action.

HE Enabled links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the HE Enabled Patreon for £1 a month!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy me a coffee and help to keep HE Enabled Running :)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow HE Enabled on social media and listen on other platforms via the Linktree.⁠