Panels & Perspectives: Disability and Neurodiversity in Comics- A Panel Discussion with Francisco de la Mora, Gemma Plum, and Zara Slattery

~ Ernesto Priego
**Alt text:** Promotional graphic for the event *Panels & Perspectives: Disability and Neurodiversity in Comics*. Large black and grey text on an off-white background reads: “Panels & Perspectives: Disability and Neurodiversity in Comics”. Below: “Francisco de la Mora, Gemma Plum and Zara Slattery explore disability and neurodiversity in comics, representation and storytelling. Chaired by Dr Ernesto Priego (City St George’s HCID).” Event details read: “Thursday, October 1st, 2026, 18:00 hrs. City St. George’s, University of London, College Building, Room AG01. 280 St John Street, London, EC1V 4PB.” On the right are the Symbola and SelfMadeHero logos. Across the lower half are three book covers: *The Great Marc Evers* by Gemma Plum, showing a swimmer underwater in a blue swimming pool; *The Most Amazing Saturday Morning Rubbish Club* by Francisco de la Mora, showing four young people, including a wheelchair user, standing outdoors with litter-picking equipment; and *Coma* by Zara Slattery, an illustrated cover dominated by pale blue, grey and green tones.

Announcing Panels & Perspectives: Disability and Neurodiversity in Comics – I’m looking forward to chairing this panel organised by Selfmadehero and Symbola on Thursday 1st October 2026, 6pm, room AG01, College Building, City St George’s, University of London. [Book your place here; very limited capacity].

Graphic novel authors Francisco de la Mora, Gemma Plum, and Zara Slattery will explore disability and neurodiversity in comics.

Graphic novels have long offered powerful ways of communicating unfamiliar or overlooked perspectives. Increasingly, creators are turning to comics to explore experiences of disability, neurodiversity, and physical and mental health that are often misunderstood or underrepresented. From memoir and biography to fiction rooted in lived experience, comics can make visible and tangible aspects of experience that words alone may struggle to convey.

Calling upon the powerful true stories behind their work, Francisco de la Mora, Gemma Plum and Zara Slattery will examine how comics can make visible experiences that are often overlooked, opening up conversations about disability, neurodiversity, care and belonging.

The panel will explore how graphic novels can challenge stereotypes, create connections and invite readers to see the world from different perspectives.

The venue has step-free access and accessible toilet facilities. The AG01 room is located on the ground floor of the College Building on 280 St John Street, London EC1V 4PB.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided, including non-alcoholic and gluten-free options.

Places are strictly limited. Tickets are £5. Book yours in advance to reserve your place! [Book your place here; very limited capacity].

Please note that the organisers are continuing to explore options for making the event accessible online, at least retrospectively. This will depend on the available technology and resources, as well as consent and licensing requirements, which are still being confirmed at the time of writing. For now, we therefore recommend assuming that the event will be in person only.

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Published by Ernesto Priego

My passion is creating opportunities for discovery, creativity and innovation. I am an advocate for enhanced access to information as a public good. I enjoy fostering engagement and openness, facilitating collaboration and mentoring. My main focus is multi-disciplinary and involves practically and theoretically connecting the dots between varied, closely-related fields and topics: comics studies; human-computer interaction design, library and information science, digital humanities, scholarly communications, publishing studies, digital innovation and material culture, intellectual rights and open science, access, data and educational resources. I love writing and spreading the word about the things I believe in. I love higher education and the Internet and I define myself as a digital scholarship advocate. I love working collaboratively and on my own. You can still follow me and/or contact me via Twitter @ernestopriego.