Neurodiversity, opportunity and inclusion in shipbuilding in Shipbuilding News 10/04/2026 Simply put, the term ‘neurodiversity’ – originally coined by sociologist Judy Stringer in the 1990s – recognises that people’s brains function in diverse ways. Neurodivergent people tend to exhibit different strengths, and undergo different challenges, to neurotypical (or, to use a blanket term, ‘normal’) people, and understanding this is key to helping them to integrate into working environments. In 2024, David Foote, planning systems lead for marine engineering and systems at Babcock International Group, and champion of the Babcock Neurodiversity Network, received RINA’s Maritime Diversity Award in recognition of his contribution to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector. David has also been diagnosed with dyslexia, autism and ADHD. The Naval Architect caught up with him to find out more: The Naval Architect (TNA): Why are industries, including the maritime and offshore sectors, speaking out about neurodiversity now? David: It’s only now that people feel more empowered to talk about it – especially after the COVID lockdowns. I think the lockdowns gave people a lot of time to reflect, and any major change like that especially affects people who are neurodiverse. Spending a lot of time sitting in the house has made people think: “I need to start seeking help or getting a full diagnosis.” Neurodiversity comes with mental health issues, and obviously there were a lot of those during the lockdowns. So, a lot of us are now coming out and speaking about it, asking for help and wanting to help others. Since 2013, there has been much more testing, driven by the American Psychiatric Association [APA], and more kids are now getting tested for autism within the school system – both boys and girls. This is important as females tend to be able to mask it a lot better. Because autism is hereditary, a lot of parents see themselves in their children and can recognise the pattern. It’s not just about autism or dyslexia: neurodiversity also covers ADHD, OCD, dyspraxia [a condition that impairs bodily coordination and motor skills] and dyscalculia [impaired ability to deal with numbers and maths] – there’s a range of different things. The thinking on it has come on leaps and bounds in America; in New York, for instance, teachers, public servants and officials now undergo a certain level of dyslexia training. The information’s become more easily available, so more people are getting diagnosed properly. TNA: What are some of the benefits of hiring neurodiverse individuals? David: One trait of neurodiverse people is that, if you give us an opportunity, we’re very reliable – we’ll work for the company for 25 years. While graduates are vitally important for their skills, a lot of them tend to stay at the company for three years or so before moving on. Companies like Babcock want people who stay with the company for a long time: I went from being an apprentice to a senior planner very quickly. One of the skills we need in the industry is innovation, and this is an area where neurodiverse people thrive – think of designers and engineers who have to get things done on a tight timescale. We, the shipbuilding industry, need people who can think differently, act differently and be comfortable enough to do that – to develop new fuel systems and new propulsion systems. Seafarers with ADHD can develop constant burnout, as there’s no time for them to sh