Featuring Dr Nick Weise & Professor Sarah Sharples
Hosted by Professor Jackie Carter

In this rich and compelling episode of Let’s Talk Disability, Professor Jackie Carter welcomes two guests who bring together deeply personal insight and significant institutional influence: Dr Nick Weise, Senior Lecturer in the Medical School and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, and Professor Sarah Sharples, the newly appointed Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

This conversation is powerful, warm, and unusually timely — because Nick is speaking about the lived experience of newly acquiring a disability. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 33, he is still navigating what it means to transition almost overnight from being non-disabled to living with unpredictable, life-altering symptoms. His account is honest, eloquent and deeply human: from losing sensation in his legs, to navigating bladder challenges, to the emotional weight of early months filled with sadness, uncertainty and change.

Nick also shares how he adapted his teaching — already rooted in flipped learning and interactive pedagogy — to accommodate mobility limits, fatigue and cognitive load. His candour about explaining MS to students, adjusting teaching spaces, and finding dignity through openness gives the episode a practical and profound edge. His reflections highlight how inclusive design is not just about ramps or room layouts — but about psychological safety, flexible teaching environments, and understanding the human story behind support plans.

Joining him is Professor Sarah Sharples, only weeks into her new role at Manchester but already deeply thoughtful about disability inclusion. As a professor of human factors and former Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department for Transport, she brings a systems-level understanding of accessibility, ergonomics and equity. She listens with empathy, asks thoughtful questions about support systems, inclusive teaching, fatigue, and campus design, and reflects openly on the responsibilities of leadership, culture-building and structural change.

Together, Nick and Sarah explore themes including:

• the emotional journey of receiving a new diagnosis and navigating early uncertainty
• how support plans, hybrid working and accessible spaces enable disabled staff to thrive
• flipped learning as a vehicle for both inclusion and pedagogical excellence
• the power of psychological safety: “we value what you bring, and we will adapt for you”
• the real constraints disabled staff face with travel, fatigue, commuting and campus movement
• the need to rethink academic excellence beyond counting outputs
• accessible teaching spaces, hybrid limitations, and why lecture theatres may not serve modern pedagogy
• safety, confidence and community as essential ingredients for cultural change
• the Tivoli Gardens leadership philosophy — everyone owning their 3‑metre radius
• the importance of small interventions: microphones, doors, toilets, taxi vouchers, quiet graduations
• the loneliness, cost and effort behind travelling as a disabled academic
• the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy and its promise for a more inclusive future

The conversation is alive with insight, vulnerability and mutual respect. Nick’s storytelling brings listeners into the lived, sensory reality of MS; Sarah’s reflections bring leadership humility, curiosity and determination; Jackie brings warmth, wisdom and the unflinching reminder that inclusion requires both conversation and action.

As always, the episode ends with “one things”:
• Nick’s request: phase out lecture theatres in favour of flat, flexible teaching spaces that support interactive, accessible learning for staff and students.
• Sarah’s commitment: to spend time listening to and shadowing disabled staff and students, learning directly from their lived realities in Science & Engineering — and to ensure those voices shape future decisions.

This episode is uplifting, honest and future-focused — an essential listen for anyone passionate about disability inclusion, accessible teaching, and building a University culture where every colleague and student can flourish.

Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter

Listen, learn, and help drive real change—because disability inclusion benefits everyone.

Join Professor Jackie Carter, academic lead for Disability Inclusion at the University of Manchester, as she hosts the latest episode of the "Let's Talk Disability" podcast. This special instalment features external guests Dr Mel Best and Julian Gwinnett from the University of Wolverhampton, alongside Dr Hamied Haroon, Chair of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks.

Together, they share personal experiences of living with disabilities, discuss the challenges and opportunities within higher education, and introduce the Ride Higher initiative—a collaborative project aimed at advancing disability inclusion for staff across UK universities.

Key topics include:

• The importance of visible and hidden disabilities.
• The role of advocacy networks and community support.
• The impact of the Ride Higher initiative and NADSN.
• Practical steps for institutions and individuals to foster inclusion.
• Calls to action for allies, leaders, and disabled staff.

Whether you’re a university leader, staff member, student, or ally, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for creating a more inclusive academic environment.

Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter

Listen, learn, and help drive real change—because disability inclusion benefits everyone.

In this powerful episode of "Let's Talk Disability," released around International Men's Day, Professor Jackie Carter welcomes Craig Best, Director of Student Academic Services, and Ele Morrissey, Executive Director of People, both from the University of Manchester. Together, they explore what it truly means to be a disability-inclusive university.

Craig shares his personal journey with visible and invisible disabilities, discussing the challenges of masking, the importance of self-worth, and the impact of bringing his authentic self to work. Ellie reflects on the university’s responsibility to create safe spaces where staff and students feel empowered to share their lived experiences and needs.

The conversation moves from dialogue to action, with both guests committing to tangible steps that foster inclusion, agency, and wellbeing. Topics include the generational shift in attitudes towards disability, the power of emotional intelligence, the need for flexible policies, and the importance of student support and accessible learning.

Whether you’re a leader, colleague, or student, this episode offers honest insights and practical ideas for building a culture where everyone feels valued and able to thrive.

There are many organisations who provide support to men with their mental health, some of which we have included below:
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
https://uk.movember.com/
https://letstalkaboutsuicide.co.uk/mens-mental-health-charities/
https://www.thecalmzone.net/

If you are affected by MND or would like to learn more please reach out to:
https://www.mndassociation.org/

Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter