Divergent in STEMM

Dr Chris Freelance

Real people, real science, real neurodiversity, real experiences. Join neurodivergent evolutionary biologist & science communicator Dr Chris Freelance in conversation with his fellow neurodivergent STEMM professionals about their science, their strengths & challenges, and their lived experiences. With the rate of neurodivergence up to 2.5x higher in science professionals than in the general population, it’s time to connect with this large in number but largely unseen community of neurodiverse knowledge-makers. For more, visit https://drchrisfreelance.com/divergent-in-stemm-podcast/

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 12: speech pathologist & CEO Jess Rowlings - "making things better for everyone"

    IT worker to qualified healthcare practitioner to education researcher to CEO of a social enterprise: a non-traditional career path for sure, but one Jess Rowlings wouldn't change. Tune in with host Dr Chris Freelance in conversation with Jess about her career journey, her experience being a speech pathologist with AuDHD working with AuDHD school students, being CEO of the spin-out social enterprise Next Level, her love of video games, and how her neurodivergence helps her approach problems differently to find ways do things better and more efficiently. And spoiler alert: there may be analogies drawn between neurodivergent life and Mario Kart!

    37 min

  2. May 25

    Episode 11: science teacher Dr Matt Bird - from research lab to classroom

    Most people who do a science PhD don't intend to be a high school science teacher. But for Dr Matt Bird, the pull of science education drew him back. Matt has done a lot of science jobs: overseas postdocs, traveling Australia doing science "magic tricks" with the Questacon Science Circus, classroom science teacher, and now a science educator at the Gene Technology Access Centre which provides specialist science activities for high school students. Tune in to hear about his journey, and how the challenges his ADHD presented in various roles has shaped his approach to educating and inspiring future scientists.

    34 min

  3. May 11

    Episode 10: wildlife ecologist Dr Grainne Cleary - inspiring people with passion

    You may have heard her on ABC Radio, seen her talking all things birds on channel 7's Sunrise, or read her popular science books on birds. And now you'll hear her on the Divergent In STEMM podcast too! This episode, host Dr Chris Freelance is joined by wildlife ecologist Dr Grainne Cleary. Tune in to hear Grainne share how her passion for wildlife drove her to persist through the challenges presented by dyslexia and dyspraxia while navigating a difficult transition from research scientist to radio & TV regular and bestselling author.

    35 min

  4. Apr 27

    Episode 9: education academic A/Prof Matt Harrison: "essential for some, harmful for none"

    What do you do if you struggled to stay on track at school and later find out it was ADHD? For Dr Matt Harrison, eventually the answer was become an Associate Professor in Learning Intervention and, later, a co-founder of the University of Melbourne's Neurodiversity Project! Tune in to hear about Matt's experience with school and work, how a late ADHD diagnosis changed how he interacts with the world, how his work is making learning better for neurodivergent people, and his experience of how to thrive in academia with neurodivergence. Bonus content: as they discovered when recording this episode, both Matt and host Dr Chris Freelance are massive Lego nerds who grew up in country Victoria!

    42 min

  5. Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 is coming!

    Season 2 is finally here - launching tomorrow, to be precise! While I already have some fantastic guests, I am always looking for more - tune in to find out how you can come on the podcast if you're a neurodivergent STEMM professional!

    1 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    Episode 8: Our host (biologist/science communicator) Dr Chris Freelance: “evolving with complexity”

    The roles have reversed! After a season of interviewing some fellow neurodivergent STEMM professionals, one of them now gets to interview our host Dr Chris Freelance! Tune in to hear guest interviewer (and Episode 1 guest) Dr Ollie Thomas chatting to Chris about about balancing the push and pull of Autism and ADHD, his journey from researcher to research infrastructure facility manager, STEMM strengths and challenges through the lens of an AuDHD person, diving into science comedy, and the deeper motivations for why the Divergent in STEMM podcast was born. This is the final episode of season 1. The podcast will be back for season 2 in early 2026. And if you’re a glutton for punishment, here’s the video of Chris’ most recent comedy talk (August 2025): https://youtu.be/p8V1iDbf-Bk

    37 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    Episode 7: Stem cell biologist Jordan Clarke: “without ADHD, I wouldn’t have gotten where I am”

    What do cosplay and research science have in common? This episode, host Dr Chris is joined by PhD candidate Jordan Clarke from The University of Melbourne. Tune in to hear about Jordan’s research bringing stem cell biology to the study of neuropsychiatric disorder, her experience of neurodiversity-friendly work practices in STEMM, and how aspects of her ADHD have made her a successful scientist. (And with her and Chris’ offices just a few doors apart, there’s plenty of banter and laughs!) This is the last of the episodes made during ADHD Awareness Month 2025, and the second-last episode of season 1.

    38 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    Episode 6: Science communicator Emily Groves: “follow your passion”

    What do you get if you cross two science communicators come comedians with ADHD? This podcast episode! Join host Dr Chris in conversation with science communicator Emily Groves about their shared experience of an adult ADHD diagnosis and burnout, Emily’s varied experience working in science communication with hands-on science centres and a national program for high school students, and creating neuroinclusive work environments in STEMM.

    38 min
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About

Real people, real science, real neurodiversity, real experiences. Join neurodivergent evolutionary biologist & science communicator Dr Chris Freelance in conversation with his fellow neurodivergent STEMM professionals about their science, their strengths & challenges, and their lived experiences. With the rate of neurodivergence up to 2.5x higher in science professionals than in the general population, it’s time to connect with this large in number but largely unseen community of neurodiverse knowledge-makers. For more, visit https://drchrisfreelance.com/divergent-in-stemm-podcast/

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Chris Freelance
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Chris Freelance
  • Show Website
    Divergent in STEMM