Learn from neurodivergent professionals who have developed careers in IT, and how we all can make the IT industry more inclusive.
Speakers
Andrew Shaw
Matthew Bellringer
Maddy Kilby-McMurray
Damo Quinn
Jess Burden
Jonathan Ellwood
Agenda
5:30pm Networking and pizza (for those attending in person)
6:00pm The event begins (with introductions to the event, and from the panel members) 6:10pm Lightning talks from the panel
6:40pm Panel discussion
7:30pm Event ends
* *Opportunities for people to network afterwards
Synopsis
Many neurodivergent professionals have developed successful careers in the Tech Industry, and find creative solutions and utilise unique skills to solve business challenges faced by many businesses and delivering a competitive advantage.
There are still barriers though for neurodivergent professionals who wish to develop a career in the Tech Industry, and a report titled “The Experiences of NeuroDiverese and Disabled people in IT”, published by the BCS in 2023, highlights some of these barriers many neurodivergent professionals face, including some stigmas that still exist.
This event consists of a panel of neurodiverse professionals who consist of:
- Andrew Shaw
- Matthew Bellringer
- Maddy Kilby-McMurray
- Damo Quinn
- Jess Burden
- Jonathan Ellwood
Who will deliver lightning talks about there experiences whilst developing careers in the Tech Industry.
Following the lightning talks, there will be a panel discussion about how neurodivergent professionals can develop their careers and reach their potential, including the following questions:
- The barriers to neurodivergent professionals developing their careers in the Tech Industry?
- How we as a community can make the Tech Industry more accessible and more inclusive?
About the speakers
Andrew Shaw:
Andrew is a neurodivergent professional who has developed a career as a software testing, after initially wanting to be a developer following his graduation from university.
Andrew is the Diversity and Inclusion officer of the BCS South Yorkshire branch, as well as the editor of the Tester online magazine for the BCS Specialist Interest Group in Software Testing specialist group. He also delivers talks about mental health, neurodiversity, software testing and career development, as well as an assistant martial arts instructor.
Matthew Bellringer:
Matthew Bellringer MBCS MBPsS is a neurodiversity and innovation specialist. They work with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, organisations which want to support neurodiverse innovation, and organisations delivering innovative digital services to a neurodiverse audience. Matthew specialises in supporting work that addresses problems from a unique perspective, co-production, and regenerative working practices.
Alongside their private practice, Matthew is Chair and Co-founder of NeurodiverseIT, a group for neurodivergent IT professionals within BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT and the organiser and founder of the Curious Being community.
Maddy Kilby-McMurray:
Maddy McMurray is a QA Non-Functional Test Analyst, working for Rail Delivery Group. Experienced in Operations and Finance, they began retraining in tech in 2019.
In 2022, they began their journey into the testing world after joining Sparta Global. They are a Neurodiversity and ADHD advocate who uses their lived experience to educate organisations about accessibility, inclusion and supporting neurodiverse people at work. They are the Inclusion Officer for BCS Special Interest Group in Software Testing (SIGiST). Previously, they organised a series of career talks for young LGBTQ+ professionals and have also presented posters at the BCS Lovelace Colloquium.
Outside of work, they are an avid writer and history buff and are currently working to capture the oral histories of LGBTQ+ people in Southend and Essex as part of their local history group.
Damo Quinn:
Author of Finding a Voice, Damo has spread awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) for a number of years. He has lived with DLD ever since he was born so his awareness is a lived experience.
He has also written articles on LinkedIn about DLD. The latest one at the time of writing this bio is about him wanting to be knighted by King Charles.
Away from spreading awareness, he is learning CompTIA Security+ with the aim of passing the course before the end of 2025. He is also learning to become a coach driver so he can get money in while he learns Security+ and get the exam.
After the Security+, he is aiming to gain his CompTIA Pentest+ and do some of the modules on TryHackMe.com, yes, he is aiming to become an Ethical Hacker. He is also wanting to go further down the rabbit hole of hacking and learning as much he can with it.
Jess Burden:
After being diagnosed with Autism, Jess joined the first cohort of Cyber Security training for unemployed, neurodiverse adults which led her to start working at IASME. From her work at IASME, she discovered her passion for Cyber Security and how important it is to work in a supported environment. Now she continues to work at IASME as a Security Engineer, runs Worcester Defcon and organises Hackathons for students and delivers talks about how to support neurodiversity in the workplace.
Jonathan Ellwood:
Jonathan Ellwood is Head of Cyber Incident Exercising and Response (Standard Level) at the IASME Consortium and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire. Following a successful career as an engineer in the aerospace sector, Jonathan moved into a career working in cyber security.
Jonathan is also the scheme manager for the IASME partnership with the CAA for their ASSURE scheme. Jonathan received a diagnosis of Autism and dyslexia, and this helped him understand why he struggled at school and other ways.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
This event is brought to you by: South Yorkshire Branch and NeurodiverseIT Specialist Group
