Embracing Neurodiversity in Higher Education
Neurodivergent students and staff are part of our academic communities. These events invite participants to learn more about various aspects of neurodiversity and reflect on challenges and opportunities in the university context.
The word “neurodiversity” is a collective term that describes the concept that different people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving. Neurodiversity often refers specifically to neurological or developmental conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or dyscalculia. These differences are not seen as defects, but as natural variations in brain function and information processing.
ETH Diversity is hosting three events on this topic in 2026. With inputs from experts and people with lived experiences of neurodiversity, these events aim to create a space for awareness-building, support, and new insights.
Key topics
- What is neurodiversity? What different neurodivergences are there?
- What strengths does it bring? And how can challenges be overcome?
- How can good interaction between neurodivergent and neurotypical university members be achieved?
Events
26.03.2026, 12:15 – 13:30, online webinar
Insights from Autism
The webinar begins with an input on neurodiversity with a focus on autism. This is followed by reports from an ETH student and an ETH employee with autism. Finally, the support services at ETH Zurich are presented.
Register for the event here.
Main speakers:
external page Nathalie Quartenoud Macherel is research associate and lecturer in the department of psychology at Université de Fribourg. She is leading the external page Autism&Uni initiative for Switzerland.
Tabea Patt is a master’s student in physics at ETH Zurich with the support of an assistance dog. She contributes an autistic student’s perspective on autism in higher education, informed by her lived experience.
external page Franziska Menti is a research software engineer in astrophysics in the exoplanets and habitability group at ETH Zurich.
22.04.2026, 10.00 – 11.30, ETH Zentrum
Embracing Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Understanding ADHD – Science Meets Virtual Reality Experience (DE)
The workshop provides a scientific classification of ADHD in a university context and combines this with an immersive ADHD virtual reality simulation: University members experience typical ADHD challenges and reflect together on what this means for teaching, leadership, and collaboration at ETH Zurich.
Particularly relevant for lecturers and managers. All interested parties are welcome.
external page Register for the event here.
Main speakers:
Dr. Tobias Heilmann is a business psychologist (Dr. phil. UZH) and lecturer at ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich. He combines 14 years of practical experience in organizational development and personnel selection with his own experience of ADHD.
external page Jean-Daniel Roth is the CEO of BeLEARN, the national competence center for digital transformation in education, and the project manager of the ADHD virtual reality simulation.
27.05.2026, 14.00 – 15.00, online webinar
Embracing Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Different, but perfectly normal (DE/EN)
Neurodiversity refers to neural diversity in brain development, without classifying differences as deficits. This includes, for example, people on the ADHD or autism spectrum, those with giftedness, epilepsy, etc.
The presentation will outline the current state of research, highlight the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent people, and outline effective interactions between neurodivergent and neurotypical university members.
Speaker
external page Prof. Dr. André Frank Zimpel is a specialist author, certified psychologist, psychotherapist (HPG), and special needs and certified teacher specializing in mathematics and art. He works as a professor focusing on “learning and development” at the University of Hamburg and heads the Center for Neurodiversity Research in Hamburg/Eppendorf.