Blog post contributed by Juliet Scott-Barrett and Louise McKeever about the SARG PhD/Early Career event funded by the University of Edinburgh Institute of Academic Development:

On the 21st of April 2017 a workshop was held for PhD students and early career researchers titled “Conducting Research in the Field of Autism: Ethics, Methods and Research Experiences”. With attendance from students and researchers from across Scotland the workshop allowed for detailed discussion of practical and ethical dilemmas. Juliet Scott-Barrett opened the workshop, engaging delegates in discussion about their current research and goals for the future.

Talks from Scottish Autism provided insight on two sides of the coin; Research-Informed Practice and Practice-Informed Research. This talk by Jill Ferguson and Joanna Panese provided delegates with information on their current research projects and how to take a practice-research approach to producing knowledge and developing services.

Kabie Brook (Autism Rights Group Highland) and Sue Fletcher-Watson (University of Edinburgh) gave a talk drawing on their expertise and experiences of autism research and the autism community. This included liaising with and learning from your autistic mentor and key considerations when explaining research to autistic people and families. They gave helpful advice regarding how to make research meaningful for autistic people and families, and how to meaningfully engage with autistic expertise in knowledge production.

The keynote speaker (Catriona Stewart) discussed autism research and ethics. Some important issues were raised such as:  ethical issues that have arisen in previous autism research, why it is ethically important to involve autistic people meaningfully in research, and how to address the issues relating to informed consent. Delegates left brimming with ideas relating to better research practice and how to work more closely with the autism community at all stages of research.

Many thanks to those who attended the SARG Seminar ‘Autism Continued: Adulthood and Ageing’ at the University of Glasgow earlier this year. We heard from a range of academic, practitioner and community member speakers, many of whom highlighted the current lack of research with autistic adults. Our speakers outlined their own recent work exploring key issues in this field – from neurology and cognition, to experiences of menopause and emotion, to developing our knowledge around palliative care.

The talks represented the varied ways in which knowledge in this field can be developed, from large cohort studies to individual practitioner-led case studies. Talks also highlighted the benefits of partnership working across different stakeholder groups.

It was therefore with delight that the seminar also provided us with an opportunity to announce that a partnership between Scottish Autism and the Scottish Autism Research Group (SARG) has been formed to have greater impact on autism research and practice in Scotland. The collaboration reflects the shared commitment between both organisations to develop excellent and meaningful research that informs good autism practice, which is valued by individuals with autism and their families.

We are looking forward to working closely with Scottish Autism over the coming months to maximise on the opportunities that this partnership agreement presents.