Our Autistica Research Festival 2021 took place 12 - 16 July 2021.
Set over five days, we had a range of different session types, from our Keynote talks, research panel sessions to our roundtable discussions and social breaks.
This is the daily timetable for the virtual Autistica Research Festival. You can also download the full programme to see the breakdown and individual speakers for each session
Research posters
You can also see posters submitted by researchers focusing on different areas of autism research. The posters will be hosted on our website throughout the week of the Festival. Take a look now.
Festival code of conduct
We wanted everyone who attended the Festival to feel heard and valued. At times, there may be discussion of difficult topics or opinions expressed that some people don't agree with. We've created this code of conduct, so that all of our attendees can share their ideas and experience in a way that makes them feel safe and comfortable.
Monday 12 July
10:00 - 10:30
Introduction
Introduction to our Festival from our CEO Dr James Cusack and Festival organisers.
10:30 - 11:30
Transdiagnostic approaches to understanding neurodevelopment
Keynote talk from Duncan Astle.
12:30 - 13:30
Social Session
The online equivalent of chatting during the lunch break. Drop in to our social session to talk to other researchers and community members.
14:00 - 17:00
Mental Health Panel
Eight researchers share their latest research around autism and mental health in our peer reviewed panel session.
(Please note, this session will now finish at 5pm)
Tuesday 13 July
10:30 - 13:00
Fostering positive identity panel
Six researchers share their latest research around autism and fostering positive identity in our peer reviewed panel session.
(Please note, this session will now finish at 1pm)
15:00 - 16:00
Ethical considerations and working with the community
This roundtable discussion will explore the importance of working with autistic community members in research, through co-production, involvement or participatory research, and how to do it well, so that it is meaningful for both researchers and participants.
18:00 - 19:00
Identifying and diagnosing in history possibilities and pitfalls
Simon Jarret, author of Those They Called Idiots will be speaking about autism and learning disabilities in history. Simon is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. He is the editor of Community Living Magazine.
Wednesday 14 July
10:00 - 11:00
Neurodiversifying autism intervention research and practice
Keynote talk from Kathy Leadbitter, Leneh Buckle, Ceri Ellis and Martijn Dekker.
12:30 - 12:30
Social Session
The online equivalent of chatting during the lunch break. Drop in to our social session to talk to other researchers and community members.
14:00 - 16:30
External support – schools, services and beyond
Eight researchers share their latest research around autism and external support in our peer reviewed panel session.
Thursday 15 July
10:30 - 13:00
Physical Health
Six researchers share their latest research around autism and physical health in our peer reviewed panel session.
(Please note, this session will now finish at 1pm)
15:00 - 16:00
Diversity in autism research
This roundtable discussion will explore how the experience of autism, as an autistic person or a family member/ support of an autistic person can vary between cultures, and why it is important to build in room for diversity within autism research.
Friday 16 July
10:00 - 11:00
How can mental health services for autistic people be improved? Lessons from the example of anorexia nervosa
Keynote talk from Will Mandy.
14:00 - 16:15
Inclusive environments
Six researchers share their latest research around autism and inclusive environments in our peer reviewed panel session.
16:15 - 16:45
Closing and Awards
Our CEO Dr James Cusack will close the Festival.
If you have any questions about the Festival, please do email us events@autistica.org.uk
Code of conduct
We want everyone who attends the Festival to feel heard and valued. At times, there may be discussion of difficult topics or opinions expressed that some people don't agree with. We've created this code of conduct, so that all of our attendees can share their ideas and experience in a way that makes them feel safe and comfortable.