Tag: Research

  • Rejecting Academic Norms: Trans and Autistic Voices Matter

    Rejecting Academic Norms: Trans and Autistic Voices Matter

    I tried to write the positionality and reflexivity section of my PhD thesis today (the bit that tells the readers who I am and what lenses I see this work through). What I wanted to write is “I am trans, I am autistic, get over it”. I would love to say this, but of course…

  • Closing Spectrum 10K: A Victory for Autistic Advocacy

    Closing Spectrum 10K: A Victory for Autistic Advocacy

    Today the Autism Research Centre have published the Spectrum 10K consultation and what they plan to do next. During their consultation period they heard from over 500 Autistic people and parents/carers of Autistic children.The gap between the consultation finishing and their making the consultation public has been a long one (read Unpaused and Still Unethical).…

  • Debunking the “COVID-19 Autism Risk”

    Debunking the “COVID-19 Autism Risk”

    Neilson’s work continues to add to growing information about how COVID-19 continues to harm pregnant people and their unborn babies. Unfortunately, this journalist decided to use a skewed version of this work to undermine Autistic people and pregnancy care researchers. The misogyny and ableism are mixed into a fine slurry in this article.

  • Taking Autistic researchers seriously  

    Taking Autistic researchers seriously  

    The author’s experience as a neurodivergent research assistant at a UK university highlights challenges in navigating administrative processes exacerbated by Covid-19. Despite their qualifications, they faced bureaucratic obstacles that led to frustration and workplace insecurity. This experience reinforced the importance of support and understanding for neurodivergent individuals in collaborative environments.

  • Reflections on social research

    Reflections on social research

    The author reflects on the essence of social research, emphasizing its role in fostering connection, empowerment, and community. Personal experiences highlight the importance of safe spaces for meaningful conversations, which can transform individuals and communities. The discourse critiques current research practices and advocates for deeper understanding beyond data, prioritizing love and connection in inquiry.

  • An outline of my PhD on transgender Autistic experiences

    An outline of my PhD on transgender Autistic experiences

    I’m very excited to start my PhD studentship at University of Portsmouth funded by South Coastal Doctoral Training Partnership. I shall be in the school of psychology, doing my own research on: Exploring health and social care inequities for transgender and gender diverse Autistic adults living in the UK. I am really happy to say…

  • Trans Aware Cancer Care: My reflections on the first workshop

    Trans Aware Cancer Care: My reflections on the first workshop

    The first session of Trans Aware Cancer Care happened last weekend at the Seacity Museum in Southampton, and it was brilliant! We spoke to 10 different people about their experiences of cancer services, and their experiences in life generally. We had some tears, and a lot of love and laughter too. TACC made some amazing…

  • The importance of Autistic-led training and research

    The importance of Autistic-led training and research

    The struggle for Autistic trainers is common as non-Autistic individuals often take precedence. Organizations claim to support #AutismAwareness but refuse to pay Autistic individuals for their expertise. Even those who include Autistic co-creators may overlook their lived experience. The focus must shift to including Autistic individuals in leadership and fairly compensating them.

  • UK university ethics applications – a neurodivergent nightmare?

    UK university ethics applications – a neurodivergent nightmare?

    Policies within UK universities outline that research undertaken therein requires ethical review, however the process of obtaining favourable opinion can be inaccessible to Autistic ADHD students due to ableism within Higher Education. I wanted to know whether I was the only Autistic and ADHD / Attention Hyperactive person who really struggled with my degree ethics…

  • Trans Aware Cancer Care: We almost have lift off!

    Trans Aware Cancer Care: We almost have lift off!

    We had a great planning meeting today for Trans Aware Cancer Care. This is the first time many of us had been in a room together and it was so much nicer than being in constant Zoom meetings. We’ve finally settled on the idea for what creative tools we might want for the workshops too.…