We cordially invite you to join us for the 8th Neurodiversity at Work Research Conference, co‑sponsored by the University of Washington, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Maryland.
This year's conference is hosted by the University of Washington Institute for Neurodiversity and Employment. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our beautiful campus!
This year’s conference centers on the theme “Building Adaptability and Resilience in the Age of Disruption.” We convene at a moment marked by profound uncertainty, characterized by rapid technological change, shifting labor markets, social polarization, and growing skepticism toward equity and inclusion-focused initiatives. In this climate, adaptability and resilience are no longer optional; they are essential capacities for individuals, organizations, and communities seeking to thrive amid disruption.
These dynamics are particularly salient for the neurodivergent community and for employers committed to neuroinclusive practices. At a time when autism and neurodiversity employment programs face increasing political and cultural pushback—often questioning their value, legitimacy, or sustainability—there is an urgent need for rigorous research, thoughtful dialogue, and evidence-based solutions. This conference positions adaptability and resilience not as individual traits alone, but as systemic capabilities that must be cultivated through inclusive design, organizational change, and supportive policy environments.
The conference is self-sustaining and depends largely on registration fees and sponsorships.
There are several types of registration options:
| Early Academic/Professional Registration $200 | 5:00 PM PDT April 30, 2026 | Take advantage of discounted rates of $200 by registering before |
| Regular Academic/Professional Registration $250 | April 30, 2026, to June 7, 2026 (5:00 PM PDT) | Register during the regular period for the standard rate. Secure your participation before the late fees apply. |
| Late Academic/Professional Registration $325 | June 7, 2026, until the conference date | Late registration is available. Please note that a late registration fee will apply. |
| Student Registration $75 | Until June 7, 2026 (5:00 PM PDT) | The student fee applies until the deadline. A late student fee of $125 applies after this date. |
| Conference Social Dinner Event $50 | N/A | The Social Dinner Event is available for an additional fee and includes dinner at a local venue. |
To receive the discount, students are required to electronically submit a letter from their institution or advisor to certify their status as an active full-time student during the registration process. Note that Active Full-time Students are those who are enrolled in the university and therefore pursuing a higher education degree.
The full conference registration fee covers your attendance at all conference sessions, morning coffee and light breakfast snacks, two lunches, and refreshment breaks. The conference DOES NOT provide dinner. If you have specific dietary needs, please share this information with us during the conference registration process.
Each year, we hope to attract and support junior scholars and scholars from low-resourced institutions to participate in the Neurodiversity at Work Research Conference. We provide travel scholarships based on need. The number of scholarships and their dollar amount (between $75 and $500) is dependent on the number of registrants and the amount of sponsorships we receive. Complete this form to be considered for scholarship.
We will review all requests in mid-April. Scholarship payments will be processed after attendance at the conference.
Travel information and lodging are detailed on our Conference Location & Hotel website. We have provided several discounted options for lodging. Please be aware that the World Cup is taking place in Seattle the weekend after the conference. Make your flight and hotel arrangements soon to get reasonable rates.
The Registration process is two steps. You will be asked first to complete the Google registration form and then will be asked to submit payment through our provider's online system. Accepted methods of payment are Visa, Mastercard, JB, and Discover credit cards..
Cancellation is available until May 30, 2026. There is a $25 cancelation charge for processing fees. No refunds are provided after May 30, 2026. All cancellation requests must be in writing to neurodiversity@uw.edu. Cancellation processing timeframe is 4 weeks.
Hala Annabi (hpannabi@uw.edu), University of Washington
Andrew Begel (abegel@cmu.edu), Carnegie Mellon University
Kathryn Dow-Burger (kdowburg@umd.edu), University of Maryland