Women in Cotton's next Chats for Change event will be delivered in honour of International Women’s Day (IWD) by Mya Kirkwood – Doctoral Researcher at University of Liverpool Management School.

2024’s IWD theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, which is reflected in the theme of this Chats for Change.

You have probably heard of the term “neurodiversity” – the idea that all brains have unique neurocognitive abilities. While neurodiversity can be a competitive advantage in the workplace, it can also bring unique challenges and barriers for neurodivergent people. This is especially the case for women – as gender biases, both in the workplace and in the diagnosis of neurodivergent conditions, can exacerbate inequalities and exclusion. As diagnoses of neurodivergent conditions are increasing among working adult women, understanding neurodiversity (and gender) inclusion is increasingly important!

So, what does this mean for leaders and colleagues wanting to inspire workplace inclusion – especially among their neurodivergent staff and women with lived experience of neurodiversity? As colleagues or leaders of neurodivergent women, what do we need to be aware of and how can we best practice neurodiversity awareness and inclusion?

Mya’s Chats for Change will introduce the audience to the concept of neurodiversity and its unique benefits and challenges in the workplace – focusing particularly on the context of neurodivergent women or working women with neurodivergent children. It will include reflections and practical evidence-informed recommendations for neurodiversity and gender inclusion that leaders and colleagues can use on International Womens Day and beyond.

Held on Thursday 7 March at 15:00 GMT, this event is open to everyone in the cotton and textile industry, regardless of gender.