Call for participants: Join the Neurodivergent Creative Research Community
In this blog, Kay Louise Aldred, is calling for Neurodivergent adults to take part in a unique, paid research opportunity that values your lived experience and creative passions.
Are you a Neurodivergent adult who enjoys creative practices like art, writing, storytelling, or embodied movement? Are you interested in regulation, dysregulation, and how creativity can support wellbeing?
We’re inviting you to take part in a unique, paid research opportunity that values your lived experience and creative passions.
About the project
The title of the project is ‘Building Neurodivergent-Affirming Cultures of Regulation: A Neurodivergent Perspective’ and will explore how regulation is experienced by Neurodivergent people, using creative and collaborative methods.
As a participant, you'll be part of a co-researcher community, helping to shape a creative, co-produced output and published research.
The project is led by Dr Amy Skinner, Associate Professor in Co-Production in Mental Health Research at York St John University and myself, Kay Louise Aldred, Development Lead at Neurodiverse Connection.
Who can take part?
We’re looking for Neurodivergent adults who:
Use or are curious about creativity to explore emotions, experiences, well-being and regulation.
Are open to sharing ideas about how they experience regulation and dysregulation, what regulated spaces look and feel like for them and how they can be facilitated, in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Identify as Neurodivergent (no formal diagnosis is needed to apply).
What’s involved?
Participants will attend monthly creative sessions, with online or hybrid options available.
Sessions run from December 2025 to July 2026, on the second Thursday of each month. Sessions will last up to 2.5 hours each, with breaks.
Participants will engage in creative workshops, short, recorded conversations, and photo sharing of your creative work
Participants will take part in a supportive, imaginative, and respectful space.
Participants will be paid £250 for their time and contributions.
Got more questions?
We have an online information Teams meeting on Thursday 9th October 2025, at 6pm. We will be sharing more information about the project and answering any questions you might have.
You can attend via this link:
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 379 297 777 957 8
Passcode: sY6nQ7ts.You can also email us at a.skinner@yorksj.ac.uk and ask any questions you have.
How to apply
To apply to be a participant in this exciting project, send an email to a.skinner@yorksj.ac.uk telling us why you're interested by on Monday 20th October 2025 by 5pm.
In your application email, please let us know:
About yourself, including your location and experience.
Why you're interested in being part of the project.
Any creative practices you enjoy or want to explore.
We’ll select participants based on interest and creative fit – we aim for a mix of styles and perspectives
If selected, you'll be invited to an online information Teams meeting on Thursday, 6th November at 6 pm, before confirming your place.
Your wellbeing
Your wellbeing during the research process is important to us. We will encourage all participants to only share only what feels right for you and pause or skip activities at any time.
We will begin with creative work and body-based (somatic) practices will be introduced gently later. Full consent information will be provided before you join as a participant.
Your Data and Privacy
Your personal data will be stored securely and used only for this project. You’ll be able to review and approve anything with your name or creative work before it's made public or archived.
