VIRTUAL CO-WORKING SPACES FOR (TIRED) RESEARCHERS
Welcome to the Spark Sessions
Unapologetically pro-disability and intersectional virtual co-working sessions designed to give you the time and space you need to get your sh*t done, while giving you a break from researcher overwork cultures.
WHAT ARE SPARK SESSIONS?
Focused time to actually get sh*t done
Spark Sessions are 50-minute online co-working sessions that offer a dedicated space for you to focus on whatever work you need to do. You also have the option to stick around for an optional 20-minute Catch-Up and Connect session at the end, where you can meet and share with fellow researchers who understand where you’re coming from, without the usual nonsense of academic hustle culture.
We're launching Spark Sessions with a special pilot price of £5 per session - or pay what you can afford, in line with our commitment to accessibility throughout.
WHO ARE SPARK SESSIONS FOR?
Spark Sessions are for you if...
You're drowning under a pile of small tasks that stop you finding an hour of deep focus.
You know 'body-doubling', having someone else present, even virtually, helps you power through your to-do list.
You're seeking low-pressure spaces to help you get things done that also 'get it' when it comes to creating accessible, pro-disability, neurodiversity-affirming work environments.
Spark Sessions Virtual Co-Working Sessions will help you get things done, feel less alone, and grow your network of like-minded researchers.
OUR SCHEDULE
Upcoming Spark Sessions
Date:
Tuesday 14 October 2025
Time:
10:30am - 11:45am
Host:
Dr Bethany Dahlstrom
Date:
Tuesday 28 October 2025
Time:
7:00pm - 8:15pm
Host:
Dr Zara Bain
Date:
Tuesday 11 November 2025
Time:
10:30am - 11.45am
Host:
Dr Bethany Dahlstrom
MEET THE SPARK SESSIONS TEAM
Who are your hosts?
Dr Zara Bain
Researcher, Writer and Founder & Director at Academic Audio Transcription
Dr Bethany Dahlstrom
Researcher, Writer, and Founder & Director of Pemberton Proofreading
Spark Sessions is an Academic Audio Transcription (AAT) Project
Academic Audio Transcription (AAT) is a disabled- and researcher-led social enterprise dedicated to making knowledge more accessible, inclusive, and collaborative.
Founded by Zara Bain in 2017, and supported by academics who understand the challenges of producing, sharing, and engaging with research, AAT specialises in accurate, thoughtful transcription services that support clarity and accessibility for diverse audiences.
We're growing an accessibility-first researcher community
But AAT is more than just a social enterprise offering transcription support. Between our clients, and our team, we're a community of researchers who believe that accessibility is a cornerstone of ethical scholarship.
We bring together academics from across disciplines to share expertise, encourage best practice, and champion accessibility as a standard rather than an afterthought.
Our events, resources, and collaborations create spaces where researchers can connect, learn, and feel supported in making their work more widely available.
We're experts at supporting research
Alongside our core transcription work, we host supportive initiatives that strengthen our practice and community.
Our Spark Sessions provide structured co-working time and connection for researchers juggling busy schedules, offering the focus and accountability needed to move projects forward.
Meanwhile, our Just One Thing Mini Accessibility Trainings introduce small, practical steps that make outputs more accessible - whether through captions, formatting, or inclusive design.
Both initiatives reflect our wider ethos: accessibility and productivity are not add-ons but integral parts of best practice for researchers and academics.
By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we aim to model and encourage sustainable, inclusive approaches for everyone.