Diving into Diversity: Harnessing Neurodivergent Strengths to Transform Aquatic Sciences

The Early Career Committee (ECC) of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) calls for amplified acknowledgment and embrace of neurodiverse individuals in aquatic sciences. We advocate for a transformative shift, urging the broader scientific community to recognize and embrace the unique  approaches, abilities, and well-being of each researcher. Despite increased attention to demographic heterogeneity, neurodiversity remains an underexplored aspect of society, particularly in scientific disciplines. The neurodiversity paradigm reframes cognitive differences as assets rather than deficits, emphasizing the strengths, specialized skills, and high-performance potential of neurodivergent individuals in science (Jaarsma and Welin 2011; Lefevre-Levy et al. 2023). This approach aligns with the broader views of cognitive variances as essential components of human diversity, resilience, and social collaboration (Goldberg 2023), akin to the role of biodiversity in ecosystem functioning and resilience. This paper advocates for systemic reforms to enhance the careers and experiences in aquatic sciences, thereby enriching the discipline by incorporating a wider array of perspectives and talent.