Education Committee Tip of the Month

'Enhancing Engagement and Reducing Sensory Barriers for Neurodivergent Students in Dissection‑Based Learning'

Written by Benedict Falana BSc, MSc, PhD

Anatomy teaching has moved beyond long lectures towards small‑group learning in dissection rooms and prosection facilities. Alongside learning to identify structures (for example, major vessels, bones, and organs), students are expected to develop professional skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. For some learners, however, the dissection environment adds extra barriers, particularly students who are neurodivergent (including autistic students and those with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia). Bright lighting, strong preservative odours, unfamiliar textures, noise, and the pressure to work quickly in a group can be distracting or overwhelming. When this happens, it may look like a student is disengaged, when in reality they are managing sensory overload or processing information differently.

A practical starting point is to normalise that dissection can feel confronting or challenging for many students, not just neurodivergent students. Saying this explicitly before the first session, can reduce stigma and make it easier for students to ask for support early. Anticipatory guidance also helps provide a clear overview of what will happen in a typical session, what students may see and smell, and what participation usually involves. Where possible, share photos, short videos, or a simple step‑by‑step walkthrough (including where to store belongings, when breaks are allowed, and how to get help). Clarity and predictability lower anxiety and allows attention for learning. Because sensory factors are often the biggest challenge, small adjustments can make a meaningful difference without lowering standards. Consider allowing masks that reduce odour, scent‑neutral balms (where safe), and a choice of suitable PPE. Build in permission to step out briefly, and if space allows, identify a quiet nearby area where students can decompress and return when ready. Importantly, staff training matters. Demonstrators and technical staff should be supported to recognise that hesitation, reduced eye contact, or quiet communication may reflect overload rather than lack of interest. Checking assumptions early can prevent students being unfairly labelled as “not suited” to the discipline.

In group‑based sessions, structure supports inclusion: define roles (e.g., reader, pointer, dissector, note‑taker), rotate them by agreement, and provide written prompts so students do not have to rely on rapid verbal exchanges alone. Where learning outcomes allow, offer flexible pathways like observation approaches, working with prosections, using 3D models or digital anatomy platforms, and opportunities to review materials at a slower pace outside the lab. These options can help students demonstrate the same anatomical understanding while reducing unnecessary sensory and social load. Finally, a short check‑in after early sessions (anonymous if needed) can highlight barriers quickly and signal that feedback is welcomed.

Overall, neuro‑inclusive design in dissection‑based teaching is less about special treatment and more about good educational practice in terms of clearer expectations, predictable structure, and sensible sensory considerations. When these supports are built in, neurodivergent students are more likely to participate confidently, and all students benefit from a calmer, and better organised learning environment.

References

1. Forringer‑Beal, A. (2026). Why Neuro‑Inclusive Universal Design Learning Matters for Students and Staff Alike. University of Manchester, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Blog.

2. Oxford University Department of Education. (2024–2025). Neurodivergent Education for Students, Teaching & Learning (NESTL) Toolkit.

Congratulations to the Latest Recipients of Anatomical Society Funding

If you would like to know more about how the Anatomical Society Funds our members, please see our full prize and funding matrix here. This month we would like to congratulate and latest recipients of the society's funding awards and provide you with the reports of the successful endeavours of recent awardees.

The Barclay-Smith Travelling Fund Recipients

The Anatomical Society awards the Barclay-Smith Travelling Fund to AS members to support their attendance at the Anatomical Society Winter or Summer meetings. Congratulations to our most recent awardees! You can also read the approved report of a recent awardee.

2025/26 Round 4

Mr Anas Sulaiman Alkharusi participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Nessrin Almaghtuf participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Mr William Antcliff participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Maricci Basa participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Emily Baxter participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Lorna Brockbank participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Sumar Chan participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Emily Green participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026. Awarded but not taken up.

Ms Alix Hudson participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Dr Juliette Hughes participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Mr Ryan Lukin participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Dr Alannah Mortimer participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026.

Ms Rhieya Rahul participated in the Anatomical Society Summer Meeting, University of Bristol, Bristol, 15th to 17th July 2026. Report

Ms Srishti Ramrakhiani participated in the Anatomical Society Winter Meeting, Trinity College, Dublin, 14th to 16th December 2026.

Anatomical Society Symington Bequest Travel Fund

The Trustees of the Symington Bequest Fund make grants to Society Members towards costs associated with the conduction and dissemination of anatomical research. Congratulations to our most recent awardees!

Round 4

Dr Shane Browne - to participate in the 22nd Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), ‘Anatomy for Everyone’, Melbourne, Australia, 13th to 16th August 2026.

Professor Kieran McDermott - to participate in the 22nd Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), ‘Anatomy for Everyone’, Melbourne, Australia, 13th to 16th August 2026.

Dr Ekrem Solmaz - to participate in the 17th International Symposium of Clinical and Applied Anatomy (ISCAA 2026), Vienne, Austria, 3rd to 6th September 2026.

Professor Adam Taylor - to participate in the 22nd Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), ‘Anatomy for Everyone’, Melbourne, Australia, 13th to 16th August 2026

Anatomical Society Public Engagement and Outreach Awards Reports

The Council of the Anatomical Society launched this initiative in June 2018 to support the public engagement and outreach activities of members of the Society in the field of Anatomy. Congratulations to our most recent awardee!

Round 4

Awardee: Ms Emily Green

Institution: Newcastle University Event dates: 15th October 2026, 6pm to 9pm

Venue: To be held at The Great Northern Museum: Hancock part of Newcastle University

Activity Title: ‘Bits & Bobs: The Anatomy of Sex’. An innovative public engagement event marking World anatomy Day 2026

Anatomical Society Support for Student Societies

The Anatomical Society funds student societies to support them in a range of activities, including inviting a speaker and/or organising a seminar. Congratulations to our most recent awardee!

2025/26 Round 4

Awarded to: Ms Rishita Prabhu

Institution: University of Birmingham

Event Title and Date: International Surgical Anatomy Teaching Series (ISATS)

Location: Virtual MS Teams. A free 15-week series 30.09.26 to 27.01.27, Wednesdays 18:00 to 20:00

New Fellows of the Anatomical Society

Following the May 2026 Council, the Anatomical Society is happy to announce that the following individuals have received the Anatomical Society Fellowship! Many congratulations to our most recent AS fellows!

2025/26 Round 4 (elected by 30.06.26 Council)

• Professor Flora Groening

• Dr André Toulouse

Anatomical Society Best Image Prize May 2026 Winners

Congratulations to the Anatomical Society Best Image Prize May 2026 Winner Dr Benjamin Chapman (University of Oxford) and runner-up Professor Friedrich Paulsen (Friedrich Alexander University)!

To find out more about the award winning images, check out the information below!

Best Image Award (Science Category)

The Regenerating Heart

Best Image Award Runner-Up (Science Category)

Human Meibomian Gland

Cave Young Investigator Poster Prize Award 2026

The Cave Young Investigator Poster Prize is awarded for the best poster presented by an attendee, normally of relatively junior status, at the society's Spring/Summer Meeting. Congratulations to our Cave Young Investigator Poster Prize winner Ms Louise Hosty!

2026 Award Cave Young Investigator Best Poster Award, Summer 2026, Bristol

Title: Development of a pro-angiogenic hyaluronic acid hydrogel decorated with vascular cell-derived ECM

Submitted by: Ms Louise Hosty, Royal college of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin

Photo: Ms Louise Hosty and the President of the Anatomical Society, Professor Abigail Tucker

Epilepsy Research Institute UK/AS Co-Funded PhD Award

The Council of the Anatomical Society and the Epilepsy Research Institute UK are delighted to share that the co-funded PhD (Epilepsy Research Institute UK/Anatomical Society) has been awarded to: Professor Chris Rodgers and Dr Thomas Cope at the University of Cambridge. Massive congratulations to the awardees!

In this co-funded studentship, improved ultra-high field MRI techniques will be developed. These enhanced imaging techniques aim to reveal tiny brain abnormalities responsible for epilepsy, helping more patients access curative surgery without invasive testing.

Grant Title: Improving ultra-high field MRI scans to clearly show tiny structural abnormalities that cause epileptic seizures and guide curative epilepsy surgery | Epilepsy Research Institute

Grant Type: Anatomical Society and Epilepsy Research Institute co-funded PhD Studentship grant

Start Date: 01.10.26 to 30.09.29

Grant Amount £110,000

Lead Investigator: Professor Chris Rodgers Co-investigators: Dr Thomas Cope Mr Archie Brown Student: Mr Archie Brown

Institution: University of Cambridge

Winner of the Anatomical Society Prize 2026

The Anatomical Society Prize is awarded biennially on the recommendation of Council to a distinguished morphological scientist. Massive congratulations to Emeritus Professor John Morris for being awarded this prize!

Research Studentship

The Anatomical Society is delighted to announce the award of a new research studentship. This awards are the outcome of the Society’s annual studentship competition open to its members. Congratulations to our most recent awardees!

NEW AWARD SENIOR STUDENTSHIPS

Lead Supervisor: Professor Tanya T. Whitfield University: University of Sheffield

Co-Supervisor : Dr Emily S. Noël University: University of Sheffield

Student: Ms Georgia Tattersall University: University of Sheffield

Project Title: Post-embryonic development and anatomy of the zebrafish inner ear

Project Resume

Anatomical Society Research Studentships 2026/27

Call for Applications

Applications are currently being invited from prospective supervisors for Research Studentships to be held in departments of anatomical sciences in the UK and Ireland starting October 2027. The closing date for applications is 5pm Wednesday 19th August 2026.

For the eighth year, the Society is reserving a studentship for an early career investigator (ECI). An ECI is a person with a lectureship or independent research fellowship who is within 12 years of being awarded a PhD, exclusive of career breaks, who has guaranteed employment for the duration of the studentship and who has not held an AS PhD Studentship previously. The application will be judged according to different criteria than the regular studentship submissions with more emphasis on project design and training provided than on track record. The proposal will still have to meet the high standard expected. 

The advertisement, application forms, information and conditions can be found on the website:

http://www.anatsoc.org.uk/funding-and-awards/grants-and-prizes/anatomical-society-research-studentships

Alternatively, contact the Honorary Secretary, Professor Joanna Matthan, care of maryanne.piggott@kcl.ac.uk

“Figuring and Describing”: Leonardo and the History of Anatomy

Summer School Opportunity in Cesena, Italy

A Summer School will take place from 8th to 10th of September 2026 at the Malatestiana Library in Cesena, Italy  as part of COST Action CA24143 (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). Entitled “Figurare e descrivere”: Leonardo e la storia dell’anatomia / “Figuring and Describing”: Leonardo and the History of Anatomy, the event will feature lecturers from various universities and an Italian- and English-language programme focusing on Leonardo as an anatomist.

Please click here for further details on how to apply and the summer school.

The Summer School offers 18 places, including 10 scholarships for Master’s and PhD students, and may be of interest to your students.

The application deadline is 10 August 2026.

Upcoming Conferences

Institute of Anatomical Sciences 

Autumn 2026 Scientific Meeting

2nd-3rd of September  

The Institute of Anatomical Sciences Autumn 2026 Scientific Meeting will be held at the Human Anatomy Resource Centre (HARC) at the University of Liverpool between 2nd-3rd of September 2026. During the meeting a variety of subjects will be covered including perspectives from students who are just starting their careers as well as those who are well established. There will be various workshops including a 3D printing workshop, an embalming workshop and a HTA workshop. We will showcase technical achievements in science and academics talks in Veterinary science, Dentistry and Anatomy to name a few.

For more information on how to register and the meeting's programme please check out this document.

5th Early Career Anatomists Conference

The Early Career Anatomists group is hosting their annual hybrid conference from September 3rd to 4th 2026 at Kent and Medway Medical School, Kent, UK.

If you are interested in attending, please check out the information below: