Talk: Coproducing Research and Services With Autistic People

Involving autistic people in research and or service development, also known as coproduction or participation, is a crucial way to make sure that we effectively meet the needs of autistic people and to challenge the stigma and misunderstandings that autistic people experience. However, despite this potential, autistic people have often either been excluded from shaping autism research and services or are not involved in a meaningful or effective way. Within this workshop, Ellie and Anita present the benefits of participation and discuss their experiences of working in coproduction with autistic people in a project examining the mental health experiences of autistic university students. They also explore ways to meaningfully engage with autistic people and tools to evaluate this.

Ellie is a PhD student in Psychology at The University of Warwick. She is undertaking Participatory Research to examine the mental health experiences of autistic university students. In addition, she is also a lecturer in Health and Social Care at University College Birmingham and has worked for over 28 years in various settings in the voluntary and statutory sector, mainly with autistic people, and using a participatory approach across many of her roles. Ellie identifies as Neurodivergent and has an autistic daughter.

Open to All - Autistic people, carers and family members of autistic people, professionals, academics, lay persons

Host or Publisher Sheffield Cares