Inclusive Graduation Ceremony Held at Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam University organized an alternative graduation ceremony tailored for students who prefer a quieter and less formal celebratory environment. This event, which took place at Ponds Forge on Monday, was accessible to all graduates but specifically catered to autistic individuals and those experiencing social anxiety. Measures were implemented to mitigate potential overwhelm, including reduced noise levels and allowing students the flexibility to choose their seating or standing arrangements, as well as whether to wear a traditional gown. Shannon McGoldrick, a psychology graduate who is autistic, stated: “Having a ceremony like this helps you feel more included as part of the university community.” Ms McGoldrick, 28, explained that her anxiety had previously made it challenging to attend lectures or interact with peers, and consequently, the relaxed graduation experience conveyed a sense that the university “sees” her. She continued: “It’s allowing us to have the space to feel comfortable and graduate like everybody else whilst accommodating for all the various needs that neurodivergent people have.” She added, “There is probably a high percentage of autistic people here who wouldn’t have gone to normal graduation and missed out that really important university experience.” Ms McGoldrick expressed pride in returning to university as a mature student and achieving a first-class honours degree despite the difficulties she encountered. She remarked: “I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am today, I never thought I’d graduate.” Dr Luke Beardon, a senior lecturer, commented that the alternative ceremony provided students with an option for how they wished to commemorate their academic accomplishments. He stated: “It’s all about inclusion, accessibility, participation for students who might not feel comfortable going to the ordinary graduation.” Dr Beardon further explained: “It’s offering that courtesy to those individuals so they feel engaged and can contribute to the university in the same way as any other student.” He noted that previously, some students had opted not to attend their graduation event, describing it as “too anxiety-inducing, too stimulatory, too potentially worrying for them.” Sheffield Hallam University is not unique in providing relaxed ceremonies for neurodivergent students; Nottingham Trent University conducted a similar pilot event in July 2023.