By Dr Jo-Anne Tait, Principal Lecturer, Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University (RGU)
Following the All In for Engineering: Neurodiversity in Engineering Assessment workshop held at RGU this September, we’ve been reflecting on what it truly means to design assessments that work for all learners. The conversations were rich, challenging, and full of possibility. Together, we explored the shift from traditional inclusive practices to what we now call enabling assessment: a proactive, learner-centred approach that recognises diversity as a strength and designs with it in mind from the outset.
One of the most powerful takeaways was the need to embed neuroinclusion into the heart of engineering education. Neurodiverse students bring unique perspectives, problem-solving approaches, and creative thinking to our classrooms and labs. Yet, too often, the systems we use to assess their learning are rigid, inaccessible, or based on outdated assumptions. If we want to build a future-ready engineering workforce, we must ensure our assessments reflect the full spectrum of student strengths, not just those that fit a narrow mould.
To move this work forward, we’re inviting you to take part in a student engagement exercise at your own institution. This is a chance to bring students into the conversation and gather their feedback on the Neurodiversity Maturity Framework which is a tool we’re developing to support inclusive and enabling assessment practices across the sector. We have produced a short video explainer to introduce the framework too.
What’s Involved?
We’ve created a Student Engagement Pack to make this easy and impactful. It includes:
- A ready-to-use presentation introducing the framework
- Discussion prompts and facilitation tips
- A simple feedback summary template
You can access the materials here:
We’re asking you to:
- Host or coordinate a student session (or sessions) using the materials provided
- Collect and summarise feedback from participants
- Return the completed feedback summary to us by 27th March 2026
We have also created a Padlet to crowdsource resources. This will help us gather the resources already out there that you have found useful.
Why Your Role Matters
Your leadership in this phase is crucial. By engaging students directly, we ensure the framework is shaped by the voices it’s designed to support. This is not just about gathering opinions, it’s about co-creating a future where assessment is fair, flexible, and empowering for every learner.
If you’re happy to take part, let us know and we’ll send over the full engagement pack and guidance. Whether you’re working with a small group or a larger cohort, your contribution will help us build something that truly reflects the diverse strengths of our students.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep listening. And let’s keep building assessment practices that enable every student to succeed.
