My first chance to talk about my book project "Pathologically Genuine" at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation
I am very excited to visit the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and to talk about my book project Pathologically Genuine.
See their add below.
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Join us for our March Salon Series event!
The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center present:
“Pathologically Genuine: Lived Experiences of a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Professor, Former Provost, Dean, & VP Research” with Dr. Jim Coleman Professor of Biology at UNC-Greensboro.
📅 Monday, March 30th
⏰ Noon - 1pm CT
🖥️ Hybrid Event (VKC One Magnolia Circle 241 and Zoom)
Short Abstract
Diagnosed with autism at 59, Dr. Coleman brings unparalleled insights from both sides of the academic experience. With 25 years as a senior administrator (Provost, Dean, VP Research) and having taught over 1,000 students since 2020—including 100+ neurodivergent students—he offers a unique perspective on neurodiversity in higher education. Dr. Coleman is an AAAS Fellow, distinguished Yale alum, and has managed ~$260M in research funding. But his passion now lies in advocacy, teaching, and volunteering with his therapy dog Brea at schools serving neurodivergent students. This won’t be a typical academic presentation—expect humor, authenticity, and transformative insights.
What to expect:
✅ Comparisons between traditional university support and specialized autism schools
✅ Real stories from working with neurodivergent students across educational levels
✅ Insights from his book project exploring concepts like being “pathologically genuine,” “unwelt,” stimming, and the gap between autism research and lived experience
This is so exciting, Jim! I look forward to hearing how it goes. The March timeline gives you plenty of time to continue working on, and refining, the book before you present, so that's especially great.
The concept of bringing insights from "both sides of the academic experience" is powerful - understanding institutional structures from the inside while also experiencing them as someone who processes the world differently. Your point about the gap between autism research and lived experience resonates deeply. Academic institutions often optimize for a narrow band of cognitive styles, and having someone who's navigated leadership roles with this dual perspective can fundamentally reshape how we think about accessibility and belonging in higher ed.