It has been another busy, emotional, and transformative year. When I look back at everything that has happened, I am reminded of the importance of research-activism and my commitment to it. It feels almost impossible to capture everything I got involved with in 2025, but I’ll give it a go!
Advocacy Wins and Ongoing Battles
The year began with brilliant news: the Spectrum 10K project officially closed its doors. This was the result of relentless work by Boycott Spectrum 10K and countless Autistic people and allies who spoke out, organised, and refused to be dismissed. Our dedication ensured that the harms, ethical failings, and concerns around this project were finally taken seriously. The closure of Spectrum 10K represents more than just a win; it affirms our collective power and the necessity of centring Autistic voices in research about our lives.
This wasn’t the only significant thing to happen for me activism-wise this year. On the 16th of April, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “sex”, “man” and “woman” in the Equality Act refer to “biological sex” only. This has had a ripple effect, with many institutions already using the ambiguity to justify discriminatory policies and procedure. Trans+ people and our allies continue to fight for clarification and change for the (il)legal ramifications of this ruling. Find out more here.
Surviving and Thriving My First Year of PhD
On a more personal note, 2025 marked the completion of my first full year as a PhD student. In October, I passed my major review with flying colours, an outcome that reflects the hours of reading, writing, and research, and the support from other PhD students and mentors.
I’ve also been busy writing, presenting, and engaging in projects that continue to challenge me intellectually and personally. One of my standout moments was co-leading a symposium alongside two exceptional PhD colleagues, both of whom are now on the cusp of completing their doctorates. Working with Robin and Fraedan reminded me of the importance of collective scholarship to generate knowledge and care and support.
I was super pleased to present at several trans+ research conferences, where I communed with brilliant, curious, and supportive researchers. There is something powerful about being in spaces where people are genuinely committed to producing work shaped by lived experience, solidarity, and a refusal of oppressive systems.
Queer Methodologies and Academic Community
Another highlight from this year was attending the Queer Methodologies PhD School at Durham University. The week was vibrant and joyful and I learned so much about how to exist openly, queerly, and vulnerably within academic spaces that are not always built for people like me.
I reunited with one of the students at London Trans Pride in the summer, and it reminded me how meaningful queer academic connections can be. They’re not just professional connections: they are kinship and love. They are understanding and belonging and, in these harsh times, they are lifelines. The people I shared this experience with are fiercely committed to transformative work – long may they continue to be amazing humans.
Autistic Mental Health and substance use work
As mentioned, I have gone to a lot of conferences this year! One conference that particularly warmed my heart was David Gray-Hammond’s Autistic Mental Health Conference. David’s reflections on the event can be found here, and I share his feelings completely: it was a space full of love, care, and community. It was deeply grounding.
David and I, along with our colleagues Tanya Adkin and Chris Papadopoulos, had great success with the Autistic Substance Use Network this year, publishing two papers:
Predictors of depression and anxiety among self-medicating autistic adults
These papers feel meaningful not only academically, but personally, as they reflect what Autistic people have been saying for years about our unmet needs, barriers to care, and the realities of self-medication.
I have also been fortunate enough to continue this line of work during my internship with Portsmouth City Council. The project focused on the accessibility and suitability of substance use services provided by the Council and the Society of St. James. This involved weaving together literature reviews, lived-experience insights, and observational data to understand how Autistic clients navigate these systems. I’m grateful to have been trusted with this research and hopeful about the pathways it might open. There’s more to share on this soon!
Looking Back with Pride and Gratitude
When I try to summarise the year, the first words that come to mind are “busy” and “aaaaaaah.” It has been full on and full of challenges, tears, anger and overwhelm but it has also been full of connection, creativity, and joy. I am proud of what I’ve achieved this year and every success was supported by a network of incredible people. Far too many to name, and many of whom will never fully appreciate how much their encouragement meant.
As I look ahead to the coming year, I continue to carry the sense of community, purpose, and hope I have experienced in 2025. There is always more work to be done, but there is also so much joy to be found along the way. Here’s to another year of learning, resisting, imagining, and dreaming. I think I’ll start with a rest.