Participate in research

Organisations and individuals seeking your help in progressing their research.

We receive regular requests to be a part of research, or to share new research studies with our stakeholders. Requests come from organisations such as universities that are leading in the fields of psychology and Behaviour Analysis, as well as individuals seeking to improve the understanding of autism. We are keen to support requests that once reviewed by our Ethics Committee, are judged to meet the moral standards and values of our organisation. We will not consider any research proposals without prior ethics approval from the institute of study.

To take a look at some of the projects we have recently shared including results, where available, visit our archive page.

Protective factors against burnout: an investigation into the relationship between perceived organisational support and mindfulness with staff burnout in services that support autistic individuals

The purpose of the study is to investigate perceived organisational support and mindfulness and how these relate with staff burnout in services that support autistic individuals who display behaviours of concern. If you are aged 18 or above and work in the United Kingdom in a direct support role, working with autistic people who display behaviours of concern, your participation would be greatly appreciated. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete a short survey that takes around 5-10 minutes to complete.

Researcher: Huw Price, hmp26@kent.ac.uk
Supervisor: Julie Beadle-Brown, j.beadle-brown@kent.ac.uk

Deadline: 31st May 2023

The secondary school experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME*) autistic girls

This research aims to find out the educational experiences of autistic girls from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds aged 12-18 who are attending school or college in England. The research aims to better inform professionals about the experience of this group of young people so their needs are better met. Taking part in this study would involve a one-to-one interview with the researcher, either virtually or in person. The interview would last around one hour and would be voice recorded.

Researcher: Edguelza Costa, e.costa@uea.ac.uk

Deadline: 31st March 2023

*The researcher recognises that many people do not identify with the term ‘BAME’. Participants will be in control of the terminology used in this research.

Diverse families’ experiences of receiving behavioural support for their children with learning disabilities/autistic children

The purpose of this study is to learn about diverse families’ experiences of receiving behavioural support for their children with a learning disability/autistic children. The study aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on the rich lived experience of diverse families and gain a better understanding of how they experience support for their children with a learning disability/autistic children.

To take part in this research you need to be a parent / guardian of a child with a learning disability/autistic child who has received behavioural support for this child and identify as being diverse in one of the following areas; culturally, ethnically, linguistically, racially, or are a member of the LGBTQ+, disabled or neurodivergent community. The study will comprise of an interview over Microsoft Teams. If you would like to take part, please contact the researcher below:

Researcher: Lucia Bowden, lsb30@kent.ac.uk
Supervisor: Suzy Mejia-Buenano, s.mejia-buenano@kent.ac.uk

Deadline: 31st July 2023

Sensory reactivity in genetic syndromes and autism

The study is looking for autistic children 5 years and above and their parent/carers to take part in some fun social and non-social games, with and without background noise, whilst their child wears a sensor watch. The study will take place online, using video teleconferencing from the comfort of their home and should take about two hours for the parent (less than 1 hour for the child).

The research, funded by University College London, focuses on sensory processing and physiological responsivity in autistic children, how this differs from typical development, and whether this is similar in other developmental disorders and related conditions.

If you’d like to participate in this research, please contact Breanne Kearney, breanne.kearney.20@ucl.ac.uk. More information can about the research can be found here.