Westminster College sociology and criminal justice professor Dr. Jamie Chapman will serve as a panelist for Nova Campfire’s “Neurodiversity and Just Societies: Rethinking Difference, Responsibility and Human Dignity” at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23, in a virtual session.  

The free event is open to the public and will explore the growing understanding of neurodiversity and its implications for building more humane and equitable societies. Discussions will focus on the emerging Neurodiversity Framework and how it challenges traditional models of neurological differences by reframing them as natural biological variation. The panel will also examine the implications for criminal justice systems and how neurodiversity challenges assumptions about moral blame, punishment and perceived dangerousness of neurodivergent individuals. Organizers hope the discussion will open new pathways for earlier intervention within the prison system while extending these conversations to communities and professionals.  

“The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. As such, that public discourse related to social justice is critical,” said Chapman. “The scholarly community can potentially help reduce the human suffering related to mass incarceration by pursuing work that focuses on the ‘care’ responsibility within the correctional facilities’ mission to provide ‘care, custody and control.’”  

Chapman’s invitation to participate in the panel stems from attention to her co-authored piece, “Dehumanization Spillover,” with Dr. Marci Cottingham of Kenyon College.  The study examined frontline mental health workers’ experiences in prison settings. In exploring the social and emotional impact of these environments, Chapman and Cottingham developed the concept of “dehumanization spillover,” which describes how prison settings can negatively affect workers’ sense of self and their relationships outside of work.  

Nova Campfire events are part of an ongoing series produced by the Nova Institute for Health. This panel is hosted in collaboration with the Center for Justice and Mental Well-Being at the Nova Institute, which recognizes justice in all its forms as foundational to human flourishing and mental well-being.  

“I am honored to participate in this interdisciplinary discussion with other professionals who are involved in such innovative work within the sphere of social justice,” said Chapman. 

Chapman, who also serves as director of Westminster’s All-College Honors Program, joined the Westminster faculty in 2014. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in social sciences from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Akron.   

Interested participants can register for the event here: Nova Campfire virtual panel. 

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By Kristen Aleprete 
Kristen Aleprete is a staff writer in Westminster College’s Office of Marketing and Communication. 

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