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Accessible Cancer Care: Lessons from Autistic Communities
Rosie Tansley and Katie Munday shared insights from their talk at Manchester Metropolitan University about improving cancer services for autistic individuals. The presentation highlighted community-based projects addressing accessibility, patient experiences, and necessary changes in care. Free tickets are available for the hybrid event on March 11th.
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Understanding Belonging: A Summary of Recent Trans Autistic Research
The study examines the experiences of transgender and gender diverse autistic adults regarding belonging and exclusion across three levels: macro (workplaces), meso (healthcare, education), and micro (personal relationships). It highlights the complexity of their experiences influenced by systemic ableism and transphobia, advocating for structural changes to enhance inclusivity and supportive environments.
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Enhancing Accessibility in Substance Use Services for Autistic Clients
This report examines the accessibility of substance use services in Portsmouth for autistic individuals, emphasising the need for tailored environments and continual staff learning. It highlights systemic barriers, advocating for ongoing neurodiversity training and the adoption of the SPACE framework. The findings show accessible care is achievable through collaboration with autistic communities.
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My Research
Katie Munday, a PhD candidate at the University of Portsmouth, researches the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse autistic adults in accessing health and social care in the UK. Their community-based projects focus on healthcare accessibility, substance use in autistic individuals, and improving cancer service resources for marginalised communities.
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2025 in Review: Advocacy Wins and Personal Growth
The year was transformative, marked by advocacy wins such as the closure of the Spectrum 10K project, significant academic achievements including the completion of a PhD year, and a strong sense of community in research. Ongoing efforts highlight the importance of Autistic voices and mental health, fueling hope for future progress.
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Philosophical Foundations: Ontology and Epistemology Explained
The author reflects on their difficulty understanding ontology and epistemology during their undergraduate studies, ultimately identifying as a relativist-constructionist. They explain ontology as the exploration of existence and reality perception, while epistemology examines knowledge acquisition. Different epistemological perspectives include objectivism, constructionism, and subjectivism, shaping research approaches and interpretations.
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Inclusive Cancer Care: Voices of the Disabled Community
The project led by Rosie Tansley and Katie Munday focuses on making cancer care accessible for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. Through participatory methods, it identifies barriers such as inaccessible information and poor communication, while proposing solutions that prioritise empathy and inclusivity in healthcare. Meaningful changes are essential for effective support.
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Navigating Work-Life Balance in PhD Pursuits
The author emphasizes that work/life balance is complex during a PhD, particularly within their community. They critique the pressure to prioritize studies, leading to burnout among students. Drawing from personal experiences, including an autism diagnosis, they advocate for self-awareness in managing mental wellbeing, while grappling with systemic challenges in academia.
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Safe Storytelling in Academia: A Critical Exploration
The author shares insights about community-based knowledge from trans Autistic individuals, emphasizing the importance of honoring and protecting these lived experiences. They grapple with how to navigate sharing these stories in academic contexts, questioning what knowledge should be disclosed and focusing on safe, community-driven storytelling over traditional research methods.
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Insights from TNBI Mental Health Research Workshop
