CHURCHILL FELLOWSHIP
Uncovering Innovative Social & Employment Opportunities for Autistic Women.
Gemma Gray
Churchill Fellowship 2023-2024
Having been awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2023, I travelled to Toronto, Canada and Arizona, USA, and also conducted extensive online learning relating to my research topic ‘Uncovering innovative social and employment opportunities for autistic women’.
My report takes the form of six podcasts that highlight the key themes I extrapolated from the face-to-face meetings, online discussions and background reading undertaken.
These thematic podcasts have been specifically designed to be easily accessible and give anyone listening, whether they have experience of autism or not, a thought-provoking listen. My intention is to create more podcasts influenced by my Churchill Fellowship in the future.
Tracey Francis (CF 2015) is my wonderful interviewer on these podcasts.
Episode 1
What it’s All About.
This episode covers the how, why, who, what and where of my Churchill Fellowship. I discuss the planning process, objectives, aims and potential impact I would like my research to have.
Specific organisations mentioned: Autism Canada, Arizona State University, Neurodiversity Education Research Centre, Square Peg, SWAN, Visit Mesa.
Episode 2
Stigma, Misunderstanding & Perpetuated Myths.
In this episode I detail the landscape in which my research is taking place with regards to autism. We discuss representation in the media, stigma, myths and my ‘marketing department’ analogy to potentially explain why an incomplete understanding of autistic presentation persists.
Specific organisations mentioned: Autism Alliance Canada, Diverse Minds Magazine, FIS, LIGO Labs (Caltech).
Episode 3
The Power of a Passionate Individual.
In this episode I highlight three powerful individuals connecting, championing and striving for change for autistic people. I also include details of my round-table with autistic women about employment, autistic-friendly professional networking and university support programmes.
Individuals mentioned: Dori Zener (Dori Zener & Associates), Adero Allison (Arizona State University), Eliana Bravos (ND Connect), Cat Stewart (SWAN Founder).
Episode 4
Navigating the World of Work.
In this episode I specifically look at the world of work. As well as highlighting some uncomfortable statistics about employment (and some very positive ones too), we discuss disclosure, organisational change and autistic women at work specifically.
Organisations & individuals mentioned: Ali Dussault (Auticon), Tammy Morris (Ernst & Young), Charlotte Valeur (Institute of Neurodiversity), JP Morgan, Microsoft, Ludmila Preslava, SAP, Radha McCulloch (Specialisterne).
Episode 5
Small Changes, Big Impact.
In this episode I focus on the small changes and easy wins that can create change, sharing specific examples of how: one town worked together to create on-going change; a university took a unique approach to support their autistic students; and aspiration is vital when shifting understanding.
Organisations and individuals mentioned: Arizona Museum of Natural History, Autism CRC, Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa, I.D.E.A Museum, Mesa Arts, Natalie Lyckowski (IBM), NeuroTalent Works, University of Toronto, Visit Mesa.
Episode 6
The Final Episode...
In the final episode, I summarise my key findings relating to: social inclusion; the world of work; and the importance of getting it right for autistic women at university. I also discuss the impact the Churchill Fellowship has had on me personally and I give some advice for others applying for a Fellowship.
Going forwards, I hope that further episodes can be developed.
With Grateful Thanks to…
