Autism research, autistic co-researchers, and PhD projects: a collaborative autoethnography

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McLennan, H., Aberdein, R., Saggers, B., & Gillett‐Swan, J. (2025). Autism research, autistic co-researchers, and PhD projects: a collaborative autoethnography. The Australian Educational Researcher, 52(6), 4031-4053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-025-00887-5

Publication date: 15 Aug 2025 Added to AutiHub: 4 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 4 (25.0%)
  1. Helen McLennan
  2. Rachel Aberdein *
  3. Beth Saggers
  4. Jenna Gillett‐Swan

Abstract

Abstract While participatory autism research is a priority in supporting the evolution of research in the field of autism, there has been limited consideration of community involvement in higher degree by research (HDR) projects such as PhD study. This is an important issue in higher education that requires focus, as HDR projects should represent significant contributions at the forefront of relevant disciplines. Detailed in this paper is a collaborative autoethnographic approach used to highlight the experiences of a PhD project team that sought to overcome challenges inherent to HDR study to include an autistic adult in a co-researcher role throughout a PhD project. The team (a PhD candidate and two research supervisors who identify as neurotypical, and an autistic research partner) used recommended guidelines for including autistic adults in co-researcher roles as a framework for their reflections. Key findings informed by the reflections include: (a) the importance of prioritising participatory research elements early; (b) building trust through relationship building; (c) using organised communication methods; (d) navigating a balance between authentic participation and PhD project completion; and (e) advocating for flexibility in funding sources. Recommendations are provided for others intending to incorporate elements of participatory research in HDR projects and are relevant beyond the field of autism to other disciplines of HDR research with marginalised people.

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Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

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These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
41
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
11 / 41 (26.8%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
31 / 145 (21.4%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 31 / 85 (36.5%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 27 / 131 (20.6%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
85 / 145 (58.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 72 / 131 (55.0%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
54 / 85 (63.5%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 54 / 145 (37.2%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 45 / 72 (62.5%).
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