Creative, Socially-Minded Communication Project on Neurodivergences Increases Self-Reported Content Knowledge, Collaboration Skills, and Personal Allyship

Science communication, social consciousness, and collaboration are all essential for ethical, public-minded science. This zine-based communication project presents an opportunity for students to engage in authentic communication whilst developing their social, neurological, and justice-oriented understandings of neurodivergences. The project employed hands-on, team-based learning; generative writing-to-learn and writing-to-teach methodologies, augmented by the inclusion of artistic design; and authentic purpose and audience engagement. The success of the project was evaluated through self-assessment surveys, which students completed prior to and following the conclusion of the project. Combined quantitative and qualitative analysis of these surveys demonstrates that students made significant gains in knowledge of both the neurological and social aspects of neurodivergences across multiple domains. Students reported increases in depth of knowledge, as well as development of personal allyship, communication skills, and collaboration ability. The Zine Project may be implemented in undergraduate courses to support students in gaining these critical skills.