Research Program
Upskilling autistic adults and autism researchers to work together in research co-production
The Research Program is for autistic adults who want to learn how research is done and build the skills for co-producing research with established researchers.
It is also for researchers who want to learn the skills for participatory and inclusive research with the autistic community.
This program helps autistic participants to:
- learn and further develop the skills for participatory research
- increase their engagement in participatory research
- network with potential research collaborators from around Australia.
Program activities
Autistic participants develop their skills through a series of activities including:
- completing online modules on inclusive practice, ethics, participatory research and research dissemination
- attending online sessions with other people in the program
- attending a 3.5-day, 3-night residential workshop
- completing a practical component, including an in-depth investigation of a co-produced research project and a self-directed component based on individual research goals.
Researchers develop their skills through a series of activities including:
- completing written submissions on the neurodiversity paradigm, lived experience of autism and participatory research
- attending masterclasses with other researchers in the program
- attending a 1.5-day, 1-night residential workshop.
Program impact
Thank you so much for the experience! I truly loved it and will definitely recommend it to others!
As both a clinician and researcher, it was a great learning experience for me in terms of understanding inclusion put into practice, and how empowering an autistic space can be.