Welcome to the blog! You’ve come to the right place! We’re happy to have you!
Here at The Neuroverse Initiative (TNI), our goal is to advance neuroinclusion in Space Science through Training, Research, and Advocacy. We believe that the Space Sciences can and should be accessible to all, and that a diversity of minds is not only valuable but necessary to advance our understanding of the Universe around us.
TNI is the brainchild of our fearless leader, Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, who realized in January of 2020 that neurodivergence had accelerated and complimented her love for space science, but that stigmas around neurodivergence were putting barriers in her path. After finding a supportive graduate advisor and network, where she was allowed to thrive in her strengths, Jessica started to feel weighed down by the knowledge that many, many others were struggling as she once did. And so TNI was born.
Now, maybe you’re here because you’re a neurodiverse (a word we use to include those whose brains are considered to diverge from the norm — i.e., autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD, Dyscalculia and others) college student or grad student. Maybe you’re in high school, or even middle school. Perhaps you’re neurotypical (a word we use to describe folks who are not neurodiverse), but your friends and colleagues are neurodiverse, or your employees are. Or perhaps you have completed higher education and are already working in the space sciences.
If you’re neurodivergent, the question on your mind might be: are there people like me in space science? Can I succeed here? Will I feel not just tolerated but celebrated? And here’s your answer: Yes! We aim to not only be that inclusive space but to expand inclusive spaces everywhere.
And what does that space look like? TNI’s three pillars are Training, Research, and Advocacy. We will shortly be launching space science workshops to help employers recruit and retain neurodiverse talent (that’s you!). We work with education centers to study the neurodiverse experience, develop resources to target unmet needs, and grow neuroinclusive spaces. And finally, we want to showcase the limitless talent of our community in the sciences and the humanities. Are you a neurodiverse creator? We want to highlight your science, your art, your interests—the things that make you you.
Between fifteen and twenty percent of the population are neurodivergent, with even higher percentages presenting in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students. Psychologists believe that one cause may be exceptional pattern-finding skills among neurodiverse individuals, even suggesting that the rapid technological evolution of humankind can be partially attributed to the inventions and contributions of neurodiverse scientists.
Despite this, the statistics are dismal: the rate of unemployment among neurodiverse workers is twice as high as for neurotypical workers. Studies suggest that as many as 86% of autistic individuals are unemployed. Yet here we are, in an industry of over ten thousand companies worldwide—one that is expected to grow by 41% in the next five years alone. Space Science can change, it must change, and it will change—and TNI will lead the way.
So join us—we’re happy you’re here! Together we can make a better future.
Have more questions? Head to our FAQ page!
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