Neurodiversity in TV panel 2025: potential or progress?

This session is part of the ‘Connect & Inspire’ strand which offers a variety of sessions, from in-person networking and online roundtables to in-depth case studies, designed to promote the sharing of knowledge and the building of relationships across Unscripted TV. 

Neurodiverse Media Community founder Nick Ransom explores the stories of media talent with neurological conditions and how accessible they find the industry. What do people think of accessibility in 2025? Is the media representing neurodiversity within its recruitment?

Who it's for

This is an unmissable session for those keen to learn about how TV treats people who are autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic or living with ADHD or another form of neurodivergence.

With neurodiversity also still under-represented and misunderstood, Nick will also invite questions for both himself and his panel to answer.

The majority of the USF online short course offering is for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com so we can assess if an exception should be made.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help.

Host:

Nick Ransom is a journalist and neurodiversity consultant and has also worked as a TV assistant producer, social media editor and on-air reporter. He worked on the first series of the BBC Two series Inside Our Minds with Chris Packham, covering autistic people after being diagnosed himself aged 20. In March of this year, he was diagnosed with ADHD at aged 28.

Nick says: “With a strong love for the craft of media production, I know neurodivergent people have an important role to play in it. My recent ADHD diagnosis has put into context the challenges and ignorance within this industry and, while I often consider leaving, I know that to bring change, we have to keep fighting for change. Audiences deserve accurate representation and authenticity.”

Panellists:

Laura Pratley is an assistant producer with experience across specialist factual, factual entertainment investigative, studio and blue light programming. She worked on the second series of the BBC’s Inside Our Minds programme bringing sensitivity and insight to the dyslexic and ADHD population.

Diagnosed dyslexic aged 17 and then with ADHD aged 35, Laura feels the industry still has lots to do, particularly implementing accessible production documentation produced by the BBC Studios’ Inside Our Minds team more broadly. She also says people need to “realise the human impact of accepting small budgets and tight timelines for everyone, particularly those who are neurodiverse.”

Arun Kapur is a filmmaker, poet and co-director of Wolverhampton Film Festival, also working as a production manager, assistant director and co-producer on short films. Alongside this, he performs freelance work as a support artist and writes poetry exploring wellbeing and mental health, with performances at events such as Wolverhampton Literature Festival.

Since being diagnosed with ADHD last in 2023, Arun has become a passionate advocate for better neurodivergent representation in media. “Being neurodivergent has opened my eyes to how many resources we need,” he says, highlighting the need for panels and safe spaces where creatives can thrive.

Nadine Drummond is a filmmaker, journalist and global communications strategist whose work spans the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera and the United Nations. With a background in law from Cambridge and a master’s in communications, she now creates powerful visual stories that centre unheard voices and drive real-world impact.

Since being diagnosed with dyspraxia and dyslexia, Nadine has become passionate about championing neurodivergent talent in creative industries. “For a long time I hid it, but now I see my mind works differently, and that is my strength.”

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply for ticket’ and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.