Next Level Collaboration is a research-based program and social enterprise that supports neurodiverse children to build friendships and develop collaborative skills using cooperative video games.
Founders Jess and Matt are passionate about creating safe, supportive and welcoming spaces for neurodiverse children so they can build lasting friendships.
Matt Harrison set foot in a Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) bootcamp just over two years ago, with the hope that he could turn his PhD research into something tangible.
Knowing that being a solo founder would be tough, a chance introduction to fellow gamer, Jessica Rowlings, who was working just up the hall was just what he needed to bring Next Level Collaboration to life.
Matthew’s background is in teaching. He has taught in Australia, South Korea and the United Kingdom and completed his PhD at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne.
Jess is a certified speech and language pathologist and currently works as a researcher at the Centre for Program Evaluation at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. With a lived experience of autism, CEO Jess leads a team of neurodiverse facilitators to deliver 8-week programs to school students.
When she’s not gaming, you’ll find Jess sewing, building LEGO and playing with her dog, Snickers!
