Filling the gap: Leveraging neurodivergence to promote equal learning environment for autistic students
Mon Jan 05 2026
In this podcast I speak with Vanessa Marensi and her former student Amber who recently completed a collaboration exploring strategies for supporting Autistic students at university.
Their collaboration came about when Vanessa mentored Amber while delivering some teaching at Chester. Amber successfully presented her undergraduate research at local meetings and has since graduated with a Distinction in Pharmacology and has now begun a Master’s degree also at the University of Chester. Vanessa is now a lecturer in Pharmacology at Bangor University and an Honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool. They worked together to identify strategies to improve the student experience and development of skills required in the workforce, bringing together educational and scientific research and Amber’s lived experience as a student with Autism.
A note on recording this podcast: In the first part of this podcast, you will hear me as the host referring to written comments Amber has submitted rather than hearing Amber’s voice directly. We wanted to make the podcast recording process as inclusive as possible considering Amber’s autism and social anxiety. Both Amber and Vanessa were sent questions in advance of our recording, and Amber sent very good responses in preparation. On the day, Amber had the option to write comments in the chat or join in live depending on how she felt. I was very happy to see Amber choose to speak up once she felt comfortable halfway through recording. It is so important to have her thoughts and ideas included in this episode, whether written or spoken. I hope you enjoy listening to what Amber and Vanessa has shared and that it prompts you to reflect on how you can make your own teaching practice more inclusive. The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool. The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices. To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/
Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com
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In this podcast I speak with Vanessa Marensi and her former student Amber who recently completed a collaboration exploring strategies for supporting Autistic students at university. Their collaboration came about when Vanessa mentored Amber while delivering some teaching at Chester. Amber successfully presented her undergraduate research at local meetings and has since graduated with a Distinction in Pharmacology and has now begun a Master’s degree also at the University of Chester. Vanessa is now a lecturer in Pharmacology at Bangor University and an Honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool. They worked together to identify strategies to improve the student experience and development of skills required in the workforce, bringing together educational and scientific research and Amber’s lived experience as a student with Autism. A note on recording this podcast: In the first part of this podcast, you will hear me as the host referring to written comments Amber has submitted rather than hearing Amber’s voice directly. We wanted to make the podcast recording process as inclusive as possible considering Amber’s autism and social anxiety. Both Amber and Vanessa were sent questions in advance of our recording, and Amber sent very good responses in preparation. On the day, Amber had the option to write comments in the chat or join in live depending on how she felt. I was very happy to see Amber choose to speak up once she felt comfortable halfway through recording. It is so important to have her thoughts and ideas included in this episode, whether written or spoken. I hope you enjoy listening to what Amber and Vanessa has shared and that it prompts you to reflect on how you can make your own teaching practice more inclusive. The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool. The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices. To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/ Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com