FCAI Program and Communications Coordinator Launches Non-Profit at the Intersection of Neurodiversity and Space Science: The Neuroverse Initiative
We are thrilled to share that our Program and Communications manager, Jessica Schonhut-Stasik, launched her non-profit, The Neuroverse Initiative (TNI), last week. This unique initiative operates at the intersection of space science and neurodiversity, with a mission to support neurodivergent space scientists in training, research, and advocacy.
The mission statement of the new non-profit reads: At TNI, we are committed to advancing neuroinclusion in Space Science through Training, Research, and Advocacy. We believe that the Space Sciences should be accessible to all and that a diversity of minds will only accelerate our discovery and understanding of the Universe.
Training is the first pillar of TNI’s work. The goal is to train individuals in the space sciences to create neuroinclusive workspaces by improving management education. To this end, TNI is creating a neuroinclusive curriculum for deployment in the academic setting and offering consultation. They plan to visit graduate and undergraduate institutions to train faculty and staff in supporting their neurodivergent students and peers.
Equally important is supporting the growing body of research on neurodivergent experiences in space science. In the research pillar, TNI is actively supporting research to investigate the experiences of neurodivergent undergraduates in STEM and the use of assistive technologies for neurodivergent astronauts in microgravity through a partnership with the non-profit AstroAccess.
The final pillar of TNI is advocacy, where TNI uses science communication and outreach to educate the world about neurodivergence in the space sciences. In this space, TNI offers science communication talks at events and conventions within the neurodivergent community to bring neurodivergent scientists into public discourse.
President Schonhut-Stasik said of the TNI launch, “It has been a long road to get to this point, but I am so excited for the future. TNI would not have been possible without the support of the Frist Center and director Keivan Stassun. Space is for everyone and should be accessible to everyone, and TNI will strive to create a neuroinclusive Universe. Welome to the Neuroverse.”
You can learn more about TNI by visiting their link tree and choosing the platform of your choice: https://linktr.ee/neuroverseinitiative
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