๐ Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and this year's theme - Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value - resonates with the work we do at
#ReACTproject.
๐So let's ask a question that matters for research and higher education: why don't we see more autistic people in academia?
๐Autistic researchers bring strengths to the table, such as deep focus, attention to detail, intellectual honesty, creativity, and an extraordinary capacity to immerse themselves in a field of knowledge. And yet, many quietly contemplate leaving the profession.
๐A study by Sandra Thom-Jones (2023) brought together 37 autistic academics from around the world to reflect on their experiences. Their advice for autistic people considering a career in academia? Know the role. Find the right people. Know and value yourself. Maintain balance. And proceed with caution and passion.
๐As Thom-Jones also writes for Cambridge University Press blog, the barriers autistic researchers face are: hidden curricula, opaque social rules, limited accommodations, and the exhausting weight of masking.
๐At
#ResearchersACT, we believe that inclusive research environments are stronger. Teams that embrace neurodiversity benefit from a larger range of cognitive strengths.
๐On this World Autism Awareness Day, we commit to continuing our work toward research workplaces where every researcher - autistic or not - can contribute.
๐ Share this post to help spread the word.
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay #AutismAndHumanity #AutisticResearchers #Neurodiversity #ResearchersACT #InclusiveAcademia #EveryLifeHasValue #ErasmusPlus
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References:
Thom-Jones, S. (2023). Advice for autistic people considering a career in academia. Autism, 27(7), 2187โ2192.
doi.org/10.1177/136236132311โฆ
Thom-Jones, S. (2025, March 13). Why don't we see more autistic people in academia? Fifteen Eighty Four.
cambridgeblog.org/2025/03/whโฆ
United Nations. (2026). World Autism Awareness Day.
un.org/en/observances/autismโฆ