The Graduate Institute Geneva is delighted to host the UNIGE exhibition Beyond Appearances, an immersive experience focusing on issues and invisible disabilities as well as neurodiversity.

We open this semester's edition with a Brown Bag Lunch titled 'Debunking Neurodivergence : How to build more inclusive spaces'.  

Featuring speakers with lived experience, this exciting panel will discuss the myths and realities surrounding neurodivergences as well as important considerations when developing inclusive approaches. Using ADHD as a point of departure, Carolina will share her expertise and lessons learned as a social scientist (IHEID 2020), an ADHD Coach diagnosed with ADHD. Matthieu Donnarumma and Tania Shakarchi, active advocates for the inclusion of invisible disabilities, will speak on perceptions and experiences of Dyslexia as well as common co-occuring conditions and tendencies.

Topics include and are not limited to:

• Origin of the Circuit Immersive on Neurodiversity at UNIGE
• Key definitions - neurodivergence, neurodiversity, neurotypical, diagnosis, etc
• Symptoms and their hidden impact
• Creative ways to remove barriers in the classroom and the workplace.

Questions will be taken from the audience and via mentimeter to facilitate diverse modes of communication and to ensure all questions are answered.

The discussion with be moderated by Michal Sela,  Head, Admission Office | Deputy Head, Student Services  

This lunch is set up as an open forum and we look forward to your reflections and inputs!

Carolina De La Torre Ugarte is a social scientist (USA, Peru, Switzerland) specialized in criminal justice, human rights, and mental health. As an ADHD Coach and Psychoeducator, Carolina uses a multi-disciplinary, intersectional, and trauma informed approach to support clients in developing strategies and building new skills to accomplish their goals. She holds a Master’s in Anthropology and Sociology as well as a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology. She has over 8 years of experience in learning & development, research, and project management in international Geneva. Outside of work, she is a fierce advocate for reducing social inequalities and visits people in prison.

Matthieu Donnarumma is a political scientist and doctoral student at the Global Studies Institute at UNIGE under the supervision of Professor Rémi Baudouï. Drawing on his experience as a dyslexic, he has been advocating for the integration of people with disabilities for many years.

Tania Shakarchi is president of the association Dyslexie suisse (VDS) and co-president of the association Dyslexie suisse romande (aDsr)