We value diversity in nature for many reasons – sustainability, performance, resilience, untapped potential – and biodiversity is a theme running through our research. But just as important as biodiversity is the human diversity that is the nature of our organisation.

We are a proudly Neurodiverse organisation, with approximately 90 Neurodivergent members of staff, as well as Neurotypical staff, many of whom have Neurodivergent children, siblings and friends.

Having been awarded a BBSRC Connecting Culture grant, we have delivered a one-year project to accelerate our efforts to understand, value and celebrate Neurodiversity, led by Dr Clare Stevenson, Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture, and Leah Milner-Campbell, Neurodiversity Project Officer.

The purpose of this project was to raise awareness, training and network development activity to benefit all BBSRC-supported institutes. In doing so, we have begun to unlock our own Neurodiversity.