Insight Artist-in-Residence AlanJames Burns exhibited their interactive artwork, ‘Augmented Body, Altered Mind’, at Áras Éanna Arts Centre, Inis Oírr, Galway

Sponsored by Create Ireland, Research Ireland and Galway County Council

‘Augmented Body, Altered Mind’ is a collaborative, interactive artwork that weaves a brain-computer interface with a projected audiovisual environment. The work discusses the effect of climate change on people with lived experience of disability, with a particular focus on neurodivergence. It highlights the unique perspectives that these communities have on climate change.

The event brought together disability groups, climate activists and policymakers to discuss how climate change affects the lives of people with lived experience of disability and to consider how climate policies can be made more accessible and inclusive. In addition to the exhibition viewing, the artist hosted a workshop facilitating in-depth discussions on the intersection of disability and climate change. Valuable insights were gained that will inform the next phase of ‘Divergently Together’, the latest project from AlanJames Burns dedicated to fostering dialogue, creating inclusive communities and driving meaningful change through art.

Climate change disproportionately affects disabled communities through eco-ableism, lack of accessible information, physical vulnerabilities in extreme weather events, increased sensitivity in heat waves due to critical medications and lack of access funding in climate action projects. People with lived experience of disability also possess expert skill sets needed to address the climate emergency, such as resilience, resourcefulness and specialist knowledge of navigating a world of barriers and obstacles. People with neurodiversity think creatively in non-linear exploratory patterns that could greatly support climate mitigation solutions, yet they are largely excluded from climate action.