The Neurodiversity Revolution: Tapping the Human Diversity of Mind to Accelerate Scientific Discovery
October 24 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
FreeEvent Navigation
Diverse ways of thinking can drive extraordinary innovation. In this special lecture, Keivan Stassun, Ph.D., Founding Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering, explores how embracing neurodiversity—recognizing and valuing neurological differences such as autism—can accelerate scientific discovery.
Drawing on real-world examples from astrophysics research, Dr. Stassun will illustrate how teams with a wide range of cognitive approaches are making groundbreaking discoveries in the search for habitable worlds and life in the universe. A member of the National Science Board, 2024 MacArthur Fellow, and 2025 recipient of the National Medal of Science, Dr. Stassun offers a compelling vision for how human diversity can fuel scientific progress.
This special lecture is supported by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement’s Cottrell Lectureship and the Allene and William E. Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund.
Free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Britt Lundgren (Department of Physics and Astronomy) at blundgre@unca.edu.
Accessibility
UNC Asheville is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you have any questions about access or to request reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this event, such as ASL interpreting, captioned videos, Braille or electronic text, please contact Heather L. Lindkvist, assistant vice chancellor for institutional integrity and access, hlindkvi@unca.edu or 828.232.5658.
Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs. All requests must be made ten business days prior to the event. We will attempt to implement late requests but cannot guarantee they will be met.
Visitor Parking
All visitors must adhere to the University’s parking policy. Please visit the UNC Asheville Visitor Parking Permit Registration site to acquire a visitor permit to park on campus.
Event Photography and Videography
Photography and videography may be captured by University Marketing staff at any public University events. Please review our multimedia statement to learn more.
Share
Permalink: