Let's Talk Disability

In this powerful and energising episode of Let’s Talk Disability, Professor Jackie Carter, Academic Lead for EDI Disability, brings together two colleagues at very different points in their Manchester journeys — yet deeply connected by their lived experiences of disability and their commitment to cultural change.

Dr Katherine (Katie) Twomey, Lecturer in Language and Communicative Development and Co‑Chair of the University’s Neurodivergent Staff Network, shares an open and insightful account of her late autism diagnosis, her experiences with anxiety and panic disorder, and the severe burnout she faced when transitioning from postdoc roles into a lectureship. Katie describes the relief, clarity and empowerment that diagnosis brought — alongside the emotional labour, challenges of masking, and the exhausting reality of being a visible advocate for neurodivergent colleagues.

She speaks candidly about her passion for research, her joy in autistic hyperfocus, the role of special interests, and the deep sense of belonging she feels when communicating with other neurodivergent people. She also highlights structural issues: the lack of protected time for EDI roles, inequity in reasonable adjustments, and the urgent need for the University to recognise EDI contributions in workload models, promotion criteria and leadership expectations.

Joining her in conversation is Professor Allan Pacey, Deputy Vice‑President and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health. Allan brings his own lived experience of disability — including two separate cancer diagnoses, long‑lasting health impacts of treatment, and challenges with dyslexic‑type symptoms that shaped his early academic life. His honesty and reflections on stigma, coping strategies, and the complexities of making reasonable adjustments as a leader provide a refreshing and empathetic senior‑level perspective.

Together, Katie and Allan navigate themes including:

The conversation is rich, warm and deeply human — alternating between humour, candour, frustration, optimism and shared understanding. Katie speaks passionately about the strengths of autistic people — hyperfocus, creativity, joy, pattern‑spotting and community — and argues for an environment where neurodivergent staff can truly thrive, not just survive.

As always, the episode ends with meaningful commitments from both guests.

Allan pledges to initiate a faculty‑wide disability forum, opening the door for ongoing discussion and cultural change. Katie calls for system‑level reform, including embedding EDI into expectations, promotions and workload allocation so that those contributing essential cultural work are not penalised for it.

Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter