Find out more about NADSN here.

1.     What interested you in doing research relating to disability / the DISC project?

The aims of the DISC project resonate so closely with NADSN’s in improving the recruitment, retention and progress of Disabled scientists. The co-designed approach to this research sits well with our commitment to participatory approaches and a commitment to including Disabled people in research. 

A unique aspect of DISC is that it actually targets PIs and line-managers, who have a central role to play in supporting Disabled scientists in their careers.

2.     What are your main concerns for disability research / the DISC project?

Our main concern is that disability research will get lost in the competing priorities for research.

A more general concern we have is around disability research being conducted or influenced by researchers who have no lived experience of disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity. Of course this is not the case with DISC!

3.     What are your hopes for disability research / the DISC project?

Our hopes for DISC are that there will be enormous interest from all sectors in this innovative work and that ultimately it will contribute to attracting more Disabled people towards STEM careers and it will go some way to help reduce barriers to retention and progress of Disabled scientists.

We also hope that NADSN will be able to make a valuable contribution to DISC in meeting its objectives.

4.     How do you think the current pandemic will affect disability research / the DISC project?

There are so many risks to Disabled people from this pandemic however there are also opportunities to inform and show leadership in challenging stereotypes of Disabled people particularly in the focus on careers in STEM. Looking longer term it’s really important that the next generation of Disabled scientists see ‘people like me’ working successfully in STEM careers.

During this pandemic we have seen the dialogue on disability and disabled people regress back to the medical model, when the social model is more important than ever! DISC and NADSN continue to show that it is society, stereotypes and attitudes that disable us.

5.     If you could give one message to people about disability right now, what would it be?

Hang on in there there’s a bumpy ride ahead but Disabled people are not just passengers. Increasingly we are in the driving seat. DISC research is a fantastic example of this!