In academia, where diverse perspectives and innovative thinking are essential, the experience of navigating dyslexia offers valuable insights into the need for greater inclusivity for neurodivergent colleagues. Dr Ada Mau’s story underscores the significance of flexibility in creating a truly inclusive workplace that values all forms of cognitive diversity. 

A unique role in academia 

Having joined Imperial during the pandemic, Ada has spent three years in the Outreach & Widening Participation Department as a Research Associate focusing on maths outreach.  

Her diagnosis with dyslexia 

Ada’s journey with dyslexia began later in life. “I actually didn't get the diagnosis until I was an adult,” she shares, recalling how her experience at UCL during her master's programme led to the realisation of her learning difference. “It became apparent that I could be a bit ‘slow’ in reading.” Despite the challenges, Ada developed coping strategies that allowed her to thrive in her academic environment. “I did things my own way.”  

Ada acknowledges that dyslexia manifests differently for everyone, and while reading and writing can be particularly challenging, she excels in other areas. “I think I’m quite organised. I’m actually quite good at seeing the bigger picture.”

Daily challenges and adaptations 

Ada candidly discussed the challenges and barriers faced as a researcher in academia. “A big part of the Social Sciences is reading and writing. So, sometimes I do think, why am I doing a job like this?”  

“Being an academic, you’re expected to write papers which takes a bit longer for me to complete,” she explains. "This delay can impact perceptions of productivity, as academic success is often measured by the number of articles you publish.  That is something you’re judged on,” she adds, highlighting the pressure that can accompany academic expectations. 

Inclusive working environments

Ada emphasised the importance of a conducive work environment for those with dyslexia to flourish. “In a shared office, it can get a bit distracting,” noting that quieter spaces are essential for focusing on reading and writing tasks. She also notes that having a quieter space may have benefits for other people as well. “Having a quieter space is not just for those with dyslexia, it could benefit a range of needs.”

The hybrid working model has provided Ada with some relief, allowing for quieter focus times to concentrate on her work at hand.

Support from colleagues and management

In the demanding world of academia, the intersection of professional responsibilities and mental health challenges can be particularly daunting. Dr Catherine Kibirige from Imperial’s Faculty of Medicine brings first-hand insight to this, balancing her role as a Research Manager while managing a depressive disorder that began in primary school.  Her journey highlights the importance of support systems, flexibility, and advocacy in fostering an inclusive work environment. 

Professional background 

Starting out as a temporary contractor for six months, Catherine has flourished in various roles at Imperial. Her positions have included working as a Research Associate with the Human Immunology Lab of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. She later received funding from the Accelerator programme to work at the Centre of Immunology and Vaccinology, exploring the potential to scale up her research on an ambient temperature HIV quantification kit to support those in resource-limited settings. This commitment to impactful research underscores her resilience and dedication, even in the face of personal challenges. 

The struggle with mental health 

Catherine has a depressive disorder that she has had to navigate since primary school: “It took a long time to get a diagnosis, and I guess come to terms with it.” The condition often intensified during stressful periods, such as exams, leading to the development of an anxiety disorder. In addition to this, several traumatic experiences resulted in her being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She candidly reflected, “It’s been quite difficult, at least recently, to cope with it all together.” 

When Catherine began her role at Imperial after a career break, uncertainty loomed over her ability to manage the demands of being a Research Associate alongside her diagnoses. However, she found a supportive environment at Imperial. “I found a lot of support at Imperial, and I think it’s really helped me complete my work. The support is more holistic versus just managing it.” The flexibility to work from home twice a week proved invaluable, allowing her to balance her mental health needs whilst maintaining her career.  

Challenges and support systems 

Despite the support from the university, Catherine encountered challenges with colleagues who were less understanding. She noted, “In the first group I was in, there was a bit of a challenge. My director and line manager noticed quite early on there was ‘something wrong’ and referred me to Occupational Health who made various recommendations. However, there was a lot of impatience from my peers and subsequent line manager about when I was going to be able to function or if I was going to be able to manage my workload in the same way as everybody else.” This impatience manifested in complaints and resistance from peers when she struggled to attend morning meetings or manage group projects. 

It’s vital to highlight the experiences of individuals living with disabilities, particularly those with invisible illnesses like diabetes. Abigail Ackerman, Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow at Imperial, shares her journey of managing Type 1 diabetes alongside a demanding academic career. 

The daily reality of diabetes 

Living with Type 1 diabetes is akin to having a full-time job on top of a full-time job. Abigail noted: “I have Type 1 which is the main thing that I deal with but with any long-term autoimmune condition, I've got a few additional things that creep up. When you have a long-term invisible illness there is a lot of demand on your body.”  

Abigail candidly shared her morning routine: “I wake up in the morning and I immediately sort my health care needs. I have to test my blood sugar and then give myself insulin.” This constant vigilance is a daily necessity, as neglecting these tasks can have severe consequences. Highlighting the life-or-death stakes involved, Abigail says: “If you don’t keep on top of your diabetes, it will kill you,” 

“It’s very difficult to communicate to people around you how the thing that you’re dealing with on top of your job affects you.” This struggle is compounded by the additional stressors of academic life, where the pressure can exacerbate health issues. “With diabetes or any sort of hormonal autoimmune condition, stress affects everything,” Abigail explained. 

Balancing work and health 

Abigail shared the challenges of managing her diabetes, which often affects how she navigates the workplace, where the relationship between stress and health issues is further compounded. “I can’t overload myself at work. Otherwise, I’ll just get too sick, and then I won’t be able to do anything.” Thankfully, the Engineering department have played a crucial role in supporting Abigail through this: “The senior staff are very good at trying to reduce your stress.  One of the most important things my department has done is simply offering support by saying, 'You don’t need to come in—your health is more important.’

Travel, a common requirement in academia, unfortunately adds another layer of complexity to Abigail’s working life. “I usually need more luggage because I can’t travel by hand baggage alone. Half of it is taken up with my medication.” For Abigail, trips abroad require meticulous preparation, including securing necessary medical documentation and ensuring that all medications are accounted for. “It takes about a month of planning to coordinate with the medical staff before travelling abroad.” 

Support from the university 

Despite these challenges, Abigail has been able to make use of the support offered by Imperial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Imperial were great about that and saying, stay at home until it’s safe.”  

Suggestions for improvement 

While the support from the university has been beneficial to Abigail, she acknowledged that there are still areas for improvement. “Having rooms in departments where, for example, you can change medical things – I’ve got machines attached to my body and sometimes I have to change the cannulas. I know some departments have them. I've never requested them. I share an office, but most of the time I can sort myself out. Having a room available just for that would be great. It could also double-up as a breastfeeding room.”  

A call for understanding 

As Abigail reflected on her journey, she emphasised the importance of understanding and flexibility from managers. “It frustrates me when managers ask me, ‘What can we do to support you?’ because honestly, I feel like there's not much you can do except to just give me a break when I need it.” 

“Simple things, like allowing me to attend my healthcare appointments, makes a huge difference, as rescheduling with the NHS can be incredibly difficult. I have a lot more appointments than other people as I have a lot more things going on in my body. My body doesn’t work on anyone’s schedule – not even my own – so more flexibility and understanding would be helpful.”   

Celebrating Disability History Month 

For Abigail, Disability History Month is a time to reflect on the progress made and the challenges and gaps that persist.

“I used to blog through COVID, and I had some master’s students who shared that they didn’t think they would go for a PhD because they thought it would be too hard on their health, but they noted that I went and did it and have decided to pursue a post-doc. I just sat and sobbed because, that’s what all this communication stuff is about. It’s about inspiring other people to show them that you can do it!”