We are delighted to invite you to our Autism Research Centre Symposium for 2026. This symposium is designed to showcase autism-focused research from leading researchers throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. This year, we are delighted to announce our keynote presenter, Professor Dawn Adams (Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre). Full details of the programme, including the list of presenters, will be provided in the coming weeks.

Keynote Speaker - Professor Dawn Adams

Making Autism Research Fit for Purpose: Who is Visible, What Counts as Evidence, and What Happens Next?

Dawn is the Endowed Chair at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) at La Trobe University. She is also neurodivergent and a clinical psychologist. Dawn has collaborated with the community on research that focuses on improving the mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life of autistic people across the lifespan.

Dawn has published over 100 research articles and received over $15m in funding. Her work is grounded in participatory and neurodiversity-affirming research practices that centre autistic perspectives and lived experience. She frequently collaborates with autistic researchers and community partners to ensure research priorities and outcomes reflect what matters most to autistic people and their families. Key example is the MRFF-funded Bloom project, a co-produced parent support program designed to improve wellbeing and quality of life for young autistic children and their families, and the recent co-development of National Guidance for Best Practice Inclusive Education for Autistic Students.

Autism research is growing rapidly, but many autistic people, families, educators, and practitioners still ask the same question: does the evidence really lead to changes to our lives and experiences? If the people who participate in research, the questions researchers ask, or the way evidence is translated into practice don't reflect community priorities, then even high-quality research can miss what matters most.

In this talk, Dawn will draw on two recent projects to explore three simple questions: Who is visible in autism research? What counts as evidence? And how do we ensure evidence turns into meaningful change?

Registrations open from 8.45am.

Light refreshments, including morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided.

Please note that numbers are limited for this event so if you decide not to attend, please withdraw your registration at your earliest convenience to enable others to attend.

For any questions, please contact Professor Laurie McLay laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz

You can find out more about our Autism Research Centre by visiting our website.

Contact the host of Autism Research Centre Symposium: Innovative and Impactful Autism Research | Advancing Meaningful Outcomes