Autistic voices in higher education: lessons from U.K. geoscience students to inform inclusive practices for neurodiverse learners

[EN] Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition which can affect communication, attention, perception, and cognitive processing, and thus has an impact on learning in higher education. This study investigated the experiences of geosciences students in U.K. higher education, using a novel quali...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Jeffery, Adam J., Rogers, Steven L., Jeffery, Kelly L.A., Lucherini, Mark, Hulme, Julie A., Griffin, Martin, Pringle, Jamie K., Wisniewski, Kristopher D., Derbyshire, Elizabeth J., Hallam, Catherine, Stemp, Isobel, Lau, Lisa, Bullock, Liam A.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/399647
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/399647
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/105014152230
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Neurodiverse
Autism
Geoscience
Higher education
Inclusive practice
Reino Unido
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/3
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/4
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/10
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition which can affect communication, attention, perception, and cognitive processing, and thus has an impact on learning in higher education. This study investigated the experiences of geosciences students in U.K. higher education, using a novel qualitative methodology designed to be inclusive for autistic participants. Forty self-identified autistic geosciences students, across at least 16 U.K. universities, took part in semi-structured asynchronous discussions, sharing their self-perceptions, experiences of learning in geosciences, university life, support in higher education, and other issues that they wished to discuss. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, generating three themes: (1) Being me; (2) Interacting with the world around me; and (3) Facilitating change. Participants stressed the need to recognise the diversity of autism experiences and presentations, and suggested a number of recommendations that would improve their learning and wider higher education experiences. The outcomes of this study provide actionable recommendations for all higher education institutions to develop more inclusive practice for autistic students.