First of all, congratulations on the publication of your book! Could you tell us more about it?
'So, I’m Autistic' fills the gap that many autistic people are left in once they get a diagnosis. Often, you’re presented with your diagnostic report and new identity, but you aren’t given a way to navigate this information positively. Post-diagnostic support is so important to help autistic people understand what autism is and the areas of life that differ to non-autistic people. 'So, I’m Autistic' talks through any question an autistic person might have after diagnosis in a way that talks to them rather than their parents or professionals in their lives.
What has your experience of doing PhD at King’s been like?
I joined the Faculty in October 2021 and so far it has been a whirlwind, like most PhD experiences! I’ve loved building a strong and supportive community with fellow PhD students and getting to grips with doctoral-level research.
What does your research focus on?
I work with collaboratively with a Disabled People and User-Led Organisation called Shaping Our Lives, my research entails following them along as they design and implement new ways of making public involvement more inclusive. Their work is entirely user-led which enables them to work together to design the solutions to the issues impacting Disabled People and Service-Users. My doctoral study is building an ethnography of how they’ve worked together to create ways for public involvement to be more inclusive and accessible and how their user-led approach fits into the wider context of the Disability Rights Movement.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Probably that I should have paid more attention in quantitative statistics lectures! Also, that research is hard, but that’s because you’ve got to sit with ideas, think them through and recognise that developing research is an active process that requires exploration.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope that research continues to move towards approaches that are equitable for everyone, we often hear that academia is remote and elite, but realistically we can change those conditions to make the academy a space for all.
What do you think people would find most surprising about you?
Probably how tall I am, the pandemic and online working meant we barely saw past people’s shoulders. When I meet people in person they’re surprised at my height.
Quick fire...
What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid? A comedian
Where is your happy place? My garden or my kitchen
Who inspires your most and why? Colette Datt, a nurse who showed me what you can do with determination
Ideal dinner guest? Greta Thunberg
What’s your hidden talent? My memory, it’s photographic
Find out more about Sarah’s book ‘So, I’m Autistic’ here