Autistic researchers inside and outside of academia

In this post we explore our experiences as autistic researchers.  Both of us were diagnosed later in life, Aimee at 37 and Helen at 56, having already completed PhDs and established careers as researchers. Aimee has worked within a charity, the NHS and mostly within academia.

During two of her roles, Aimee was not able to access agreed reasonable adjustments related to her neurodivergence, resulting in her experiencing mental ill health, battling to (re)instate adjustments and needing to leave the jobs.

By contrast, most of Helen’s career has been spent as an independent researcher, working on commissioned research for statutory and third sector organisations and partnerships. Before this she had various employee roles, in business, social services, and charities, none of which lasted very long.