Scientists with twice-exceptionalities: Seeking success stories of strengths to support future scientific eminence

Susen Smith, UNSW

Wednesday 04 October, 17.30-19.00
Lecture Theatre 340, Huxley Building, South Kensington Campus

In partnership with the Disability Advisory Service for Dyslexia Awareness Week.

There are many eminent scientists, but what is not so apparent is that many of them have twice-exceptionalities. Having twice-exceptionalities means having both advanced learning capacities (or giftedness) and a disability or learning difficulty collectively.Many scientists throughout history have contributed significantly to our understandings of the various branches of natural sciences, while balancing the difficulties of a disability. Their contributions have been well documented in their publications, presentations, the media, biographical sources, or on the internet. This presentation will use multiple sources that relate the individual narratives of selected scientists to explore how they purportedly used their strengths to overcome their difficulties to achieve distinction in their fields for personal and/or societal gain.

Dr Susen Smith is Senior Lecturer in Gifted and Special Education and GERRIC Senior Research Fellow at UNSW, Australia.