Our team of collaborators

Professor Sandra Jones

Australian Catholic University

Professor Sandra Jones provides leadership, advice and support for our research engagement and impact strategy across the university’s research areas. Prior to her current appointment Sandra was the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement), establishing ACU Engagement as a critical unit in advancing the quality, consistency and awareness of its activities in community engagement and research engagement; and the Director of ACU’s Centre for Health and Social Research (CHaSR). Sandra joined ACU in 2014 after more than a decade as the Founding Director of Australia’s largest social marketing research group at the University of Wollongong.

Sandra has undertaken numerous research projects – in partnership with the autistic community – on the experiences of autistic people and the knowledge and attitudes towards autism in the community; including research that won an Autism CRC Award for Research Translation (2019).

Sandra established and leads Autism at ACU, which aims to improve the attraction, retention and positive outcomes of autistic people in higher education. She is a passionate advocate for the inclusion of autistic people in all aspects of society.

Sandra is herself an autistic woman, and the very proud mother of two autistic adult sons.

Shadia Hancock

Australian Catholic University

Shadia Hancock is currently in their third year studying Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University. They are proudly autistic, and enjoy sharing their experiences to increase community understanding of autism.

Sebastian Trew

Australian Catholic University

Sebastian Trew is a researcher at ACU. He researches with children, young people and families who experience disadvantage and marginalisation. As an autistic staff member and PhD student at ACU he is committed to supporting advocacy and inclusion for autistic people in the university and to broaden people’s understanding and knowledge of autism.

Kylie-Anne McLeish

Australian Catholic University Alumni

Kylie-Anne McLeish is the Website Accessibility Officer for Bayside City Council. Her passion is to ensure that anyone, regardless of disability, age or socio-economic status, can access information online.

Jennifer Lowe

La Trobe University

Jennifer Lowe is a PhD Candidate whose interdisciplinary research is being conducted in collaboration with the Public Health Palliative Care Unit and Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Jennifer was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1) in 2018, at the age of 30. Her research offers autistic adults an opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives and preferences for palliative care at the end-of-life. Her involvement with the Advisory Group at Australian Catholic University is a welcome opportunity to share her lived experiences as an autistic university student in the hope of helping others.

Beth Radulski

La Trobe University

Beth Radulski is an Autism and Neurodiversity activist, and the first openly Autistic Autism researcher at La Trobe University. She is completing a PhD on Autistic masking—defined as the purposeful concealment of Autistic traits—and the Neurodiversity Movement. Beth is La Trobe’s first Project Officer: Neurodiversity in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students, where she uses her research background to increase educational accessibility and acceptance for Neurodiverse students and staff. Her work aims to improve social, educational, and workplace equality for Neurodiverse cohorts, with a focus on reducing the stigma and social drivers which lead Autistic people to conceal their autism status. Beth regularly advocates for Neurodiversity acceptance through public speaking, online articles, and media activism.

Jane Hancock

Whitefriars College

Jane is a Secondary Mathematics/Science teacher, with a Master’s degree in Inclusive Education for students on the autism spectrum. Her great passion is for spreading awareness on how autistic students think and experience the world, to help create a more inclusive school experience.

Jane’s 20 year old child, Shadia, was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and, in 2020, Jane also received an autism diagnosis.

Jane loves sharing her professional and personal understanding of autism to inform other teachers and parents. She has worked with the Positive Partnerships national project, delivering workshops and information sessions for parents/carers and teachers. She has also recorded podcasts, written articles and delivered presentations for the Teacher Learning Network. Currently, Jane has the role of Assistant Leader in the Learning Diversity department at Whitefriars College.

Sarah Lye

Australian Catholic University

Sarah Lye is a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Hons) graduate from ACU and is currently studying psychology at UNSW. Sarah is a professional staff member at ACU in the Faculty of Education and Arts as a Personal Assistant/ Project Officer to the Associate Dean Research. She was recently diagnosed as autistic in 2021 and hopes to share her experiences and advocate for neurodiversity.

Dr Chris Edwards

Postdoctoral Researcher, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

Chris completed his PhD as part of the Early Years Behaviour Support Project (Autism CRC), with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). His research explored how tele-consultation as part of a professional development program could support rural and remote educators to promote inclusive practices. Chris has also worked as a disability support worker, positive behaviour support practitioner, and provided education and training as part of projects for healthcare and human services. Throughout these roles, he has supported people with a varying range of abilities across a diverse range of contexts. Current research projects through Aspect include:

• Evaluation of an online self-compassion training program for autistic adults
• Barriers and enablers to independent living for autistic young adults in Australia
• Should I disclose I am autistic?

Sarah Lye

PA / Project Officer to the Deputy Dean and Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Education and Arts, Australian Catholic University

Sarah is a professional staff member at ACU in the Faculty of Education and Arts as a Personal Assistant/ Project Officer to the Deputy Dean. Sarah completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Hons) at ACU in 2018 and the Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UNSW in 2021. Sarah is currently studying the Master of Autism at UOW and plans to pursue doctoral research in future. She is a late diagnosed autistic queer woman who is passionate about inclusion of neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ individuals in higher education and employment.

Clare O'Dwyer

Library Manager, Melbourne Polytechnic

Clare is a proudly Autistic qualitative academic scholar, who brings her Autistic gifts which include pattern recognition, systems thinking, creativity, hyper empathy, kindness, and compassion to her research aims. She possesses skills in librarianship, management, organisational change, economics, information management, arts management, organisational psychology, data analysis, research, financial analysis, and project management. In addition, Clare is a strong leadership professional, and a PhD candidate researching themes that include, phenomenology, university library use, international students, cross-cultural dimensions, Nvivo coding from RMIT University.

Penny Robinson

Lecturer, Monash University

Penny Robinson is a Lecturer and Biostatistician at Monash University. She teaches introductory biostatistics, epidemiology and public health to first year undergraduate students. Penny is also an autistic advocate, sharing her experience of being diagnosed at 14 years (Year 9). She is an Ambassador of The I CAN Network, Yellow Ladybugs and Aspergers Victoria. She has two nicknames: "Twitter Queen" to reflect her love of live tweeting conferences and seminars, and "Hoodie Girl" referring to when she delivered an entire conference presentation with her hoodie up at APAC 2015, to shield her eyes from the super bright spotlight overhead!

Sebastian Trew

Research Officer, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University

Sebastian Trew is a researcher at ACU. He researches with children, young people and families who experience disadvantage and marginalisation. As an autistic staff member at ACU he is committed to supporting advocacy and inclusion for autistic people in the university and to broaden people’s understanding and knowledge of autism.