Dundee Culture founder Andrew Batchelor announced to speak at global neurodiversity conference
Dundee Culture founder Andrew Batchelor is set to take his story to an international audience after being officially announced as a speaker at the International Neurodiversity Conference 2027.
The Dundee Culture founder has been selected to speak at the global event, which brings together neurodivergent individuals, advocates, professionals and organisations to share experiences, challenge perceptions and promote greater understanding of neurodiversity.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Andrew’s developing public speaking career, taking his personal journey from Dundee to an international platform for the first time.
Organisers have now publicly welcomed Andrew to the conference, recognising his work as an entrepreneur, digital storyteller and public speaker, alongside his commitment to challenging expectations surrounding disability and neurodivergence.
From Dundee to an international stage
Andrew founded Dundee Culture in 2013, when he was just 12 years old, with the ambition of celebrating his hometown and sharing its stories with the wider world.
More than 13 years later, the award-winning independent digital media platform has grown to reach millions of people, attracting an audience of more than 126,000 followers across its social media channels.
Through Dundee Culture, Andrew has championed the city’s people, places, heritage, cultural attractions and community achievements, while building relationships with organisations across Dundee and beyond.
His journey has also seen him develop a growing career in public speaking, sharing the experiences and lessons behind building Dundee Culture, alongside the personal challenges he has faced throughout his life.
The International Neurodiversity Conference represents an important next chapter, providing an opportunity to share those experiences with people from around the world.
Challenging expectations surrounding disability
Living with cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy, Andrew has spent much of his life challenging assumptions about what people with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions can achieve.
His experiences have shaped both his personal journey and his approach to entrepreneurship, resilience and public speaking.
At the conference, Andrew will share his perspective on growing up with disabilities, overcoming barriers and developing the confidence to pursue ambitions that others may not always expect.
His story will also explore the importance of recognising individual strengths, embracing differences and ensuring that disability does not become a barrier to opportunity.
Announcing his participation, the conference organisers described Andrew as someone who has spent much of his life challenging expectations.
They highlighted his work through Dundee Culture and his commitment to encouraging others to recognise their potential, regardless of the circumstances they face.
Building a career in public speaking
The international announcement follows an exciting period for Andrew, who has been developing his professional speaking career alongside his work with Dundee Culture.
Earlier this year, he delivered a presentation for Turning Point Scotland at Dudhope Castle, sharing his personal journey and experiences of overcoming challenges.
He also addressed pupils at St Paul’s RC Academy during the school’s Business Breakfast, speaking about entrepreneurship, resilience and the importance of pursuing ambitions.
Later this month, Andrew will deliver a special guest lecture at Abertay University titled Dundee Culture & Me, exploring the story behind the platform and the lessons learned over more than a decade.
Andrew teased on the post about the lecture that more speaking events were in the pipeline and said the groundwork for Dundee Culture in 2027 and the speaking side were well under way.
Together, the engagements mark a major step forward in Andrew’s ambition to build a speaking career, sharing stories of resilience, digital storytelling and community impact with wider audiences.
A global conference celebrating neurodiversity
The 2nd International Neurodiversity Conference will take place from 28 to 30 January 2027, bringing together speakers and participants from across the world.
The first two days, 28 and 29 January, will be held online, allowing attendees to participate internationally.
The final day, 30 January, will include a hybrid Young Adult Corner event at Curtin University Dubai, providing an additional opportunity for discussion and engagement.
Andrew’s participation has been confirmed, although the exact timing and format of his individual session have yet to be announced.
The conference will explore neurodiversity through lived experiences, professional perspectives and discussions aimed at promoting inclusion, understanding and opportunity.
A major milestone for Dundee Culture’s founder
For Andrew, the announcement represents much more than another speaking engagement.
From founding Dundee Culture at the age of 12 to building a recognised digital platform and now securing opportunities to address international audiences, his journey reflects more than a decade of determination, creativity and personal development.
The opportunity also provides another platform to share a story that began in Dundee, demonstrating how a passion for a local community can develop into opportunities far beyond the city.
With his first international conference appearance confirmed for January and another yet to be announced engagement for next year, 2027 is shaping up to be a landmark year in Andrew’s public speaking career.
And as Dundee Culture continues its mission of showcasing Dundee to the world, its founder is preparing to take his own story onto the international stage.
