Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Programme for Neurodiverse Futures (LPN)

About the project

LPN is an interdisciplinary PhD research training programme that advances neurodivergent methodologies and harnesses neurodivergent lived experiences to rethink global questions of social justice.

Leverhulme doctoral training programme

The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Programme for Neurodiverse Futures (LPN) is a collaboration between Kingston University and Durham University . Our doctoral training aims to transform the understanding of neurodiversity and support a new generation of researchers to tackle major global challenges through fresh perspectives and innovative ways of thinking.

Both Kingston and Durham invite application to the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Programme for Neurodiverse Futures (LPN), starting in October 2027.

Read the funding announcement for the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Programme.

Application information

Application information will be available in Autumn 2026.

Sign up to register your interest and get involved in the Neurodiverse Doctoral Scholarships Programme.

About the programme

The prevailing discourse of the moment is one of unprecedented change and instability. Amidst global climate and political crises, pandemics, and the erosion of stable notions of meaning, there is an urgent need for research communities to consider new methodologies for the development of knowledge; to rethink scholarly histories, and to embrace the potential of difference. What innovative pathways can be developed to ensure that academic investigation is equipped to address the scale of contemporary uncertainty, and to generate knowledge with the potential to contribute to more equitable futures?

LPN responds to this question through the development of bold, interdisciplinary research which aims to harness the potential of neurodivergent methodologies to reorient thinking on global-scale questions of social justice.

A key feature of the programme will be its neurodiversity-affirming approach. Lived experience will help shape research questions, methodologies and training throughout the programme. The programme is especially keen to support a neurodiverse doctoral training community.

Our research projects are student-led. Each research project is designed by the researcher with support from a specialist supervisory team. Each LPN PhD will respond to one of five key themes. These themes are designed to address key social challenges within the context of LPN’s key focus on neurodivergence as an asset mobilised by transdisciplinary, lived experience research.

LPN themes

• Neurodiverse Cultural Histories : the ‘long history’ of neurodivergence in art, literature, and global cultures
• Neurodiverse Lifespans : the role of neurodivergence in responding to questions of childhood and older age inequalities, the family, and life-stage transitions
• Neurodiverse Stories : the role of individual and community narratives (aural, visual, and written) of neurodivergence as documents of representation and social justice
• Intersectional Neurodiversity : the role of neurodivergence in dialogue with and in response to questions of identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, and religion
• Neurodiversity and Inclusive Society : the role of neurodivergence in responding to questions of inclusion across built and natural environments, workplaces, and communities

Funding

LDN scholarships fund up to 48 months of full-time doctoral study with a maintenance award at UKRI base levels and include £10,000 to support individual research and training needs. Eight scholarships are available each year – four to be led by Kingston University, and four to be led by Durham University.

In addition, six scholarships will be awarded across the duration of the programme for Masters+ students. These awards include an additional year of full-time funding and maintenance to undertake a masters degree before PhD study. Masters+ awards are available to Black or low-income background UK-domiciled researchers and will be subject to eligibility.

At least 25% of our PhD awards will be made to neurodivergent researchers.

Training

LPN researchers will be part of a collective, positive research culture and community across Kingston University and Durham University. Our approach embraces neurodivergence beyond its thematic focus. It embeds neurodivergent methodologies/perspectives through its training, cohort building activities, and commitment to equality.

All researchers will have access to broad, foundational training in the key areas of neurodiversity studies, supporting the development of interdisciplinary competence across a range of neurodiverse and interdisciplinary research methodologies.

Alongside this core training, two-day ‘Convergence/Divergence’ hybrid events are held twice a year. The hosting alternates between Durham and Kingston. The events offer all researchers the opportunity to meet for in-depth and experiential researcher development activities and cohort / community-building. During these events we will provide a variety of short course sessions via a range of delivery methods, masterclasses, ‘grand challenge’ researcher-led events, presentations by LPN students, plenary lectures by invited speakers, and workshops.

We are committed to inclusivity of training and research development. Please contact us to discuss individual needs .

PhD opportunities and application

Recruitment for the first cohort of PhD researchers will open in autumn 2026, for enrolment in October 2027. There will be three PhD intakes in October 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Please complete this form to join our mailing list and receive updates.

Masters opportunities and application

Six Masters+ (M+) scholarships are available to Black or low-income background UK-domiciled students over the programme. These awards include a masters degree qualification, followed by entrance to our PhD programme. M+ scholarships offer five years of funding, including fees and a maintenance award for all years. Students can enrol on a number of masters at either Kingston University or Durham University.

Recruitment to the Masters+ route will be for October 2027 and October 2028 intakes.

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive further information in future on how to apply.

PhD route

For 2026/27 entry the deadline for applications is 17:00 (UK time) on 22 January 2027.

• Please complete an Application form .
• Please also read the Applicant Guidance .

Masters+ route

For 2026/27 entry the deadline for applications is 17:00 (UK time) on 22 January 2027.

For the Masters+ route, applicants will also need to complete an initial expression of interest form by 12th November 2026.

• Please complete an Application form .
• Please also read the Applicant Guidance .

Online webinar

To help prospective applicants learn more about LPN and the application process, we will be holding an online webinar on Wednesday 21 October, 1.00–2.00pm.

The session will introduce the Neurodiverse Futures Doctoral Programme, explain the application requirements and processes, and provide an opportunity to ask questions. We will record the webinar and make it available online shortly afterwards for anyone unable to attend live.

Join the webinar via Microsoft Teams

PhD scholarships

Successful applicants will be expected to meet the institutional entry requirements for their lead institution (Durham or Kingston).

At least 25% of our awards will be awarded to neurodivergent researchers, as evidenced by, for example, formal diagnosis, or equivalent educational, social, or medical support documentation.

Masters+ PhD scholarships

Successful applicants will be expected to meet the institutional entry requirements for their chosen MSc or MA programme. To be eligible for Masters+ PhD scholarships, applicants must fulfil the following criteria:

and/or be one of the following categories of ethnicity:

• Be a UK domiciled student
• Not already hold a masters degree
• Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or special support loan during their undergraduate studies.
• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other)

International PhD scholarships

Over the course of the programme, up to six PhD scholarships may be offered to international researchers. These international scholarships will receive the same financial support as UK researchers. In addition, international scholarships will cover full international fees and provide support for visa and immigration costs.

International applicants are not eligible for the Masters+ PhD route.

The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships Programme for Neurodiverse Futures (LPN) is a collaboration between Kingston University and Durham University.

Directors

• Professor Sara Upstone is co-Director of LPN. She is Director of Postgraduate Research at Kingston School of Art, Kingston University. Her research focuses on social justice in contemporary literature, critical theory, and autotheoretical creative writing practices.
• Professor Deborah Riby is co-Director of LPN. She is a developmental psychologist who takes mixed-methods approaches to questions focused on cognition and behaviour, especially in relation to autism and neurodivergence. She is co-Director and co-founder of the Centre for Neurodiversity & Development at Durham University.

Supervisors

• Dr Monique Botha (DU)
• Dr Amy Pearson (DU)
• Professor Tammi Walker (DU)
• Professor Mary Hanley (DU)
• Dr Patrick Jachyra (DU)
• Dr Elisa Back (KU)
• Dr Anna Paolillo (KU)
• Professor Roslyn Malcolm (DU)
• Professor Stephen MacDonald (DU)
• Dr Nicole Renehan (DU)
• Dr Nikki Rutter (DU)
• Dr Melania Calestani (KU)
• Dr Travis LaCroix (DU)
• Professor Grant Macaskill (DU)
• Louise Creechan (DU)
• Dr Paty Paliokosta (KU)
• Volker Eichelmann (KU)
• Dr Roman Vasseur (KU)
• Dr Anke Jakob (KU)
• Steven Fowler (KU)
• Professor Mariann Hardey (DU)
• Professor Christos Politis (KU)
• Dr Gordon Johnson (KU)
• Dr Peter Garside (KU)

Our partners

LPN works with 16 non-HEI partners who contribute to the training and development of our researchers.

• Celebrate Difference
• Daisy Chain
• Durham CC Communication and Interaction Team
• Empathy Lab
• The Horton
• Institute for Neurodiversity
• Investing in Children CIC
• LEXXIC
• Life Science Centre
• Hospital Rooms
• Mason Foundation
• National Archives
• Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship Association
• Reach Foundation
• Surrey History Centre
• Voices of Hope

Kingston University to lead pioneering £5 million doctoral programme exploring neurodiverse futures

A landmark £5 million Leverhulme Trust award will see Kingston University lead an ambitious doctoral programme examining...

Contact us

Find out more about the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships programme for Neurodiverse Futures (LPN).

Research areas