Inter Lace Work: Neurodiversity and Creativity Conference 2026

9-12 June 2026 | Reykjavík, Iceland & Online | GMT / Reykjavík time

Inter Lace Work: Autism and Neurodiversity in the Beneath Ecologies of Creative Collaboration is a conference connected to the AnFinn Research Project at the University of Iceland. The conference explores neurodivergent creative practices, creativity research, artistic collaboration, activism, academia, and the question of how arts spaces can become more inclusive of neurodivergent people.

The project begins from an important and powerful hypothesis: that the potential for neurodivergent creativity is still disproportionately unrealised because of ableist systems and structures. In response, the conference creates space for neurodivergent creative practitioners, creativity researchers, artists, activists and experimental thinkers to share ideas across different formats and disciplines.

This is not a standard academic conference in the narrow sense. The programme is described as cross-genre, bringing together academic, creative, activist, experimental and other forms of contribution. It recognises that neurodivergent creativity may not always fit neatly into conventional presentation styles, institutional expectations or ableist ideas of what “proper” knowledge-sharing should look like.

The event connects strongly with Neurodiversity Pride Week because it centres neurodivergent creativity, agency and participation. It asks not only how neurodivergent people can be included in existing creative spaces, but also how those spaces may need to change when neurodivergent ways of thinking, sensing, making and collaborating are taken seriously.

Practical information

• Event: Inter Lace Work: Autism and Neurodiversity in the Beneath Ecologies of Creative Collaboration
• Dates: 9-12 June 2026
• Main conference overlap with ND Pride Week: 11-12 June 2026
• Time zone: GMT / Reykjavík time
• Beliggenhed: University of Iceland, Reykjavík Arts Festival locations, and online
• Main presentation venue: Veröld, University of Iceland
• Arts Festival takeover: Iðnó Cultural Centre, Reykjavík
• Organiser: AnFinn Project / University of Iceland
• Audience: neurodivergent creative practitioners, researchers, artists, activists, educators, arts workers, academics and people interested in neurodivergent creativity

Programme overview

• Tuesday 9 June, 20:00 – 22:00: conference dinner
• Wednesday 10 June, 09:00 – 18:00: conference presentations at Veröld, University of Iceland
• Thursday 11 June, 13:00 – 17:00: Reykjavík Arts Festival takeover, “Adventures in Neurodivergent Space,” at Iðnó Cultural Centre
• Friday 12 June, 09:00 – 15:00: conference presentations at Veröld, University of Iceland

What to expect

• A neurodiversity and creativity conference with academic, creative, activist and experimental contributions
• Presentations and creative sharing by neurodivergent practitioners and creativity researchers
• Exploration of ableist barriers in arts, academia and creative communities
• Questions about how creative spaces can become more inclusive, accessible and transformative
• Opportunities to engage in person in Reykjavík or through online participation
• Attention to accessibility, low sensory stimulation protocols and sensory soothing spaces

This event may be especially relevant for neurodivergent artists, writers, performers, researchers, activists, students, arts organisations, cultural institutions, academics, educators and anyone interested in the relationship between neurodiversity, creativity, collaboration and social change.

View the event and registration information here

This event has been suggested as a relevant contribution to the Neurodiversity Pride Week programme by the community. The event is organised independently and has paid tickets, so its not exclusively created for ND Pride Iceland, but we love sharing it anyway.