Disabled Staff Network

Welcome to our Disabled Staff Network pages – here you will find out more about who we are, our purpose and how to join.

  • Bring together staff with disabilities, restrictive health conditions and caring responsibilities in a safe space and a confidential environment to share experiences, information and support, to discuss disability issues and to network.
  • Gather and share best practice, knowledge, ideas and thoughts on disability issues to benefit operational, research and academic work.
  • Inform the University's approach to creating an inclusive and supportive culture and help to develop effective solutions by working alongside the University to foster an inclusive environment and culture.
  • Raise the profile of disabled staff and disability within the University and beyond

How to join:

If you would like to join the Disabled Staff Network, please contact us here: DSN@ed.ac.uk

And you can join the Teams via: https://uoe.sharepoint.com/sites/DisabledStaffNetwork/SitePages/Mailing%20List.aspx 

Who can join:

We welcome all staff members who consider themselves disabled regardless of a diagnosis, and all those who have caring responsibilities. 

Our definition of disability covers a wide range of physical, mental and sensory impairments, including neurodivergence, deafness, long-term health conditions and/or fluctuating conditions and many more

We will never ask you to share your disability with us and will never make assumptions in relation to your condition. We appreciate that not all disabilities are visible or permanent. 

If you are unsure if the Network is for you, please get in touch.


Network meetings: 

Our 2025/26 scheduled meetings can be found below. All (potential) members are welcome to attend. 

  • 30th September 2025 (12:00-13:00)
  • 25th November 2025 (12:00-13:00)
  • 27th January 2026 (12:00-13:00)
  • 31st March 2026 (12:00-13:00)
  • 26th May 2026 (12:00-13:00)

Please get in touch with us at DSN@ed.ac.uk if you would like to attend or have any questions. 

Upcoming events:

Find all the upcoming events at: 

https://uoe.sharepoint.com/sites/DisabledStaffNetwork/SitePages/Meetings.aspx?WikiPageMode=Edit&InitialTabId=Ribbon%2EEditingTools%2ECPEditTab&VisibilityContext=WSSWikiPage 


  • Claire Graf and Gianfranco Matrone (Co-Convenors)
  • Stefania Brown and Dani Langdridge (Communication and Media  Officers)
  • Ben Fletcher-Watson (Secretary)
  • Susanna Wickes (Events Officer)

Get in touch with the Disabled Staff Network co-conveners. All emails will be treated in confidence. 

DSN@ed.ac.uk


I find the Disabled Staff Network a place where I feel welcome and accepted as a neurodivergent member of staff and the invitations in the Teams group to resources, talks and seminars on being a disabled academic have been really helpful and supportive.

The Disabled Staff Network is a fantastic group of people who are always willing to offer support, advice and help about whatever you need. There are also plenty of opportunities to learn about other conditions and expand your awareness of others’ needs.

Dani L

This article was published on