Examining Neurodiversity and Inclusion in Neuroscience Research Networks: A Case Study of the AIMS-2-TRIALS Autism Research Consortium

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. four authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

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Bianco, T. D., Lockwood Estrin, G., Lautarescu, A., Oakley, B., Eaton, E., Terčon, J., Douglas, S., Plas, J. R. D., Belton, D., Loth, E., Doherty, M., & Jones, E. (2025). Examining Neurodiversity and Inclusion in Neuroscience Research Networks: A Case Study of the AIMS-2-TRIALS Autism Research Consortium. Open Research Europe, 5, 120. https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.19394.1

Publication date: 6 May 2025 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
12
Publication authors identified as autistic
4 / 12 (33.3%)
  1. Teresa Del Bianco
  2. Georgia Lockwood Estrin
  3. Alexandra Lautarescu
  4. Bethany Oakley
  1. Eliza Eaton *
  2. Jerneja Terčon
  3. Sarah Douglas *
  4. Jan Roderik Derk Plas *
  1. David Belton
  2. Eva Loth
  3. Mary Doherty *
  4. Emily Jones

Abstract

Background Due to the increased emphasis on co-produced and community led research, neurodiversity within research communities has sparked interest, particularly within the context of autism research. This study investigates the presence of neurodivergent researchers within a neuroscience research consortium, with a particular focus on autism prevalence. Methods Using survey data collected from active contributors to the consortium, we examined the self-reported neurodivergent status of researchers, including formal diagnoses of autism, ongoing diagnostic processes, and self-identification as neurodivergent. Results A proportion of the surveyed researchers reported formal diagnoses or self-identification as autistic (23%), that were significantly more frequent at career stages below and including postdoctoral roles (Chi-Square p-value = 0.01). Further, we identified an association between neurodivergence and a diagnosis of a mental health condition among researchers (Coef. = 1.93, p-value = 0.002), highlighting the importance of accommodating neurodiversity within research environments. Conclusions This study underscores the need for inclusivity and support for neurodivergent researchers, particularly in the context of neuroscience that does or does not yet embed participatory research initiatives. By amplifying the voices of neurodivergent researchers, research communities can enhance the equity and impact of their outcomes and foster better public engagement by sharing experiences and understanding the needs of community members.

Bibliography cited by this reference

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

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 11:54.

Cited references
44
With a DOI
39
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
5
12 / 44 (27.3%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
4 / 44 (9.1%)
References with detected author names
40 / 44 (90.9%)
Without detected author names
4
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
5
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
315
From DOI or external metadata
315
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
156 / 315 (49.5%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 159 / 315 (50.5%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
25 / 315 (7.9%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 25 / 156 (16.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 23 / 249 (9.2%).
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