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Azrieli Accelerator

Advancing research in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan 

Powering collaborative research in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions

With generous support from the Azrieli Foundation, the Azrieli Accelerator brings together transdisciplinary research teams across UCalgary to accelerate research and create impact in our priority areas. 

Building connections across campus and beyond

The Azrieli Accelerator fosters a culture of collaboration. We connect researchers from different disciplines to help them share their expertise and creativity. We build capacity for researchers to work with community, and for community members with lived experience to become partners in research.

Researchers

The Azrieli Accelerator offers funding, learning opportunities, and new collaborative networks to advance research with impact in the fields of neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions with a lifespan approach.

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Community members

Engaging individuals with lived experience of neurodevelopmental conditions is pivotal to our research and leads to ideas and innovations that will directly impact the community.

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Message from the Director

“We welcome the opportunity to work with groups across UCalgary and strengthen transdisciplinary collaborations across campus in the fields of neurodevelopment, neurodiversity, and neurodevelopmental conditions. The Azrieli Accelerator is designed to be a launching pad for new research, and a catalyst for change."

Susan Graham headshot

Dr. Susan Graham, PhD

Scientific Director, Azrieli Accelerator


Exploring neurodevelopment across the lifespan

Neurodevelopmental conditions are a group of heterogenous conditions emergent in early childhood that affect brain development. These conditions persist throughout an individual’s lifespan, impacting behavioural, social, cognitive, and motor abilities in different ways with variable levels of impact from person to person and across different conditions. Neurodevelopmental conditions encompass a wide spectrum of disabilities, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, specific learning disorders, communication disorders, motor disorders and Tourette syndrome, genetic neurodevelopmental syndromes (such as Fragile X), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), cerebral palsy, among others. 


In the news

In the News Carly McMorris and colleague writing in The Conversation Canada

How universities can become neuro-inclusive — and what can help autistic students thrive

Research explores the experience of Black immigrant and refugee families living with neurodevelopmental conditions

With an Azrieli Accelerator Catalyst Grant, Roz Zulla leads a transdisciplinary team studying the unique challenges in accessing supports and services

'My purpose is to support marginalized communities. Realizing this changed so much'

UCalgary alum reflects on how she developed a fulfilling career by embracing her ADHD

Building a neuroinclusive campus

Support from Azrieli Accelerator furthers the vision of Neurodiversity Immersive Campus Experience program for UCalgary students

“Neurodivergent people are already here”: The compatibilities between neurodiversity and academia

A neurodivergent associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine reflects on his inclusive vision for the future of higher education

Making change together: where community wisdom meets academic research

UCalgary's annual Social Work Research Symposium rethinks the relationship between universities and communities

Featured events


Azrieli Family

The Azrieli Foundation Gives from the Heart

A transformative gift from the Azrieli Foundation aims to improve the lives of children and adults living with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Read more about this groundbreaking gift

Azrieli Accelerator

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