Bookings are now open via the Eventbrite bookings page
NLISN Conference, 16th & 17th July 2026.
St George’s Centre, Leeds.
What will it be like to attend?
NLISN is made by neurodivergent library and information workers, for neurodivergent library and information workers. Because of this, we know it can be daunting attending a conference for sensory, social and cognitive reasons. Our experience with events means you will be well looked after and we have considered how we will make this an inclusive space in full. This will be a low pressure environment, with no social expectations. We do not have online options to attend, so you can be certain you’re in a closed safe environment.
Here are some feedback quotes from previous event attendees, talking about what they loved most about NLISN events:
“Being in a wholly neurodivergent space for the first time.”
“Meeting other ND people/LIS staff – it’s so nice to feel like I’m not the only one!”
“It was genuinely one of the best CPD events I’ve attended. Every session had clear, helpful, practicable advice.”
“…to me it felt quite inclusive – breaks were well structured in, the timetable was stuck to… and there were helpful messages about feeling free to drop in and out if needed.”
The conference programme is now available.
We suggest using #NLISN26 as the conference hashtag – our main social media platform for the conference will be BlueSky.
Any questions about the conference, please contact nlisncontact@gmail.com
Further information:
The first day (16th July) will be exclusive to neurodivergent attendees only, with the conference opened up to small numbers of neurotypical allies too on the 2nd day (17th July). Conference fees are being kept to a minimum, at £95 for 1 day, or £150 for both days for ND members, slightly more for neurotypical attendees on the 2nd day only. Fuller details can be found on the Eventbrite bookings page which is now open.
Submissions are now closed. We contacted successful contributors before the end of April 2026. If you haven’t heard, please check your spam folders or get in touch.
Venue:
The conference location will be St George’s Centre in central Leeds (LS1 3DL). The venue is accessible, is all on one level, is a short walk from public transport, and is linked to the charity who provides support to the homeless and vulnerable of Leeds from their base in the crypt next door. The catering is provided by Nuture Catering, part of St George’s Crypt.
General car parking is not available on-site, but a number of public car parks are nearby. If you need disability related parking we may be able to book a space for you as the venue has a very small number available, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Accommodation is not included, but there are many choices of rooms in central Leeds, including multiple locations of the ever reliable Premier Inn, even cheaper options (depending on dates) like easyHotel, or grander options like the Queens Hotel. We do not recommend any one hotel over another.
Social Events are not included as part of the conference, but closer to the dates we will suggest locations for attendees to meet informally, including for food on the Thursday evening.
Getting to Leeds is hopefully relatively easy, whether driving (close to the M1 and M62 motorways, though you will have to pay to park), using public transport (a large bus station, plus the train station is on the TransPennine and East Coast lines), or flying, with two airports close by (Leeds Bradford is closest, but Manchester has a direct train link between the airport and central Leeds).
Reasons to attend, particularly for those who might otherwise to struggle to express the benefit to their employers follow:
Neurodivergent attendees are expected to grow their networks of support, to share and learn good practice, and to learn from others how to be more effective at work in their own right, as well as more effective in supporting their colleagues. We hope the conference will also (longer term) contribute to reduced sick leave and turnover of staff due to Neurodivergent burnout.
Neurotypical attendees are expected to broaden their knowledge on how to build diverse and effective teams, leveraging the benefits of neurodivergent workers, and managing neurodivergent workers more effectively. NT attendees’ increased knowledge may (longer term) contribute to reduced sick leave and turnover of staff.
A code of conduct makes it clear how we expect attendees to act with respect to one another, including on social media, and reserving the right to remove anyone from the conference venue who fails to comply with this code of conduct. The short version of the code is:
NLISN is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference or event experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sex, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality, age, social class, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any event venue, including talks. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organisers. Additionally, the event committee reserves the right to deny registration or attendance at any time and for any reason in its sole discretion.
Neurodivergent Library and Information Staff Network 