“Visual Bridges: Connecting Perspectives” / “Görsel Köprüler: Perspektifleri Birleştirmek”

In June, I had the opportunity to travel to Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, to take part in the International Visual Methods Conference 9, Visual Bridges: Connecting Perspectives. A conference specifically exploring visual research methods within the social sciences. Hosted at the heart of this expansive, multi-layered city, the event brought together scholars, artists, and practitioners who are each, in their own way, seeking to visualise the complexities of place, identity, and sensory experience.

Presenting My Research: The Power of Visual Methodologies

I was lucky enough to be invited to present my (still developing) methodology chapter which is central to my doctoral research. Through my presentation I explored the importance of employing visual methods with autistic women, facilitating language routed in movement.

Creative methods, specifically drawing, photography, and filmmaking, offer significant value, as they promote exploration rather than explanation. These approaches enable the expression of embodied and sensory knowledge, which is often overlooked in conventional research practice. I spoke about stratified drawing and layered cartographies as methodological tools that allow participants to express and reflect on their experiences beyond verbal or textual narration. I believe these methods are particularly effective when employed in sites that invite opportunities for active engagement.

It was energising to share my approach with an audience who not only understood the value of visual knowledge, but who are also actively pushing its boundaries. What stood out most was how the room resonated with the idea that creative methods are not just illustrative, but investigative, a way of thinking, noticing, and being in the world.

ICCC Winter Research Symposium

Reflecting on the ICCC Winter Research Symposium and the 5th International Congress Lisbon

I am delighted to have recently presented my paper, Exploring the City Through Neurodivergent Sensory Experiences, at the Institute of Creativity, Communities and Culture (ICCC) Winter Research Symposium. This presentation built on the momentum of sharing the same research at the 5th International Congress in Lisbon this past October. Presenting at two such vibrant academic gatherings has been a rewarding experience.

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The ICCC describes itself as ‘An expansive and interdisciplinary community that places creativity and culture at the centre of our research. They work closely with industry, public and third-sector partners to enhance current and historical understandings of thought, culture and heritage. Their work inspires ‘new ways of looking’, delivering projects which mobilise the creative potential of communities to shape their places and lives.’

Reflecting on the ICCC Winter Research Symposium and the 5th International Congress Lisbon

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7th November 202422nd July 2025

Exploring the City Through Neurodivergent Sensory Experiences

I presented my first co-authored systematic review of Neurodivergent Sensory Experiences at the 5th International Congress of City Ambiences in Lisbon. The paper will be published in full in 2025, but I wanted to publish an accessible introduction here first!

This blog is interspersed with my photography of Manchester, taken whilst walking and exploring with my co-author, Dr Carolina Vasilikou.

Walking through a city, whether it’s commuting to work, attending classes, or meeting friends, becomes more than just a mode of transport; it’s a daily rhythm that connects us to our surroundings. However, for neurodivergent individuals, whose sensory experiences can differ from the typical, moving through urban spaces can be more complex.

Ambience 2024, Bridge

While there’s increasing awareness around designing indoor environments to support neurodivergent needs, outdoor urban spaces have received less attention. A 2023 report from Autistica highlighted how neurodivergent needs are often overlooked, and urban design standards still lack guidelines for accommodating sensory sensitivities. We know that sensory differences are a key part of neurodiverse experiences, so we’re shifting the focus: rather than asking why neurodivergent sensory experiences are different, we want to understand how these experiences interact with the urban environment.

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7th November 202331st December 2024

Creative Methods: Autistic Researchers and Research Participants

Auto-photography and Collaborative Drawing: How Can Autistic Researchers Foster Inclusion Through Method Selection and Development to Investigate the Design of the Built Environment?

In this journal article for Sentio, I dive into how selecting and developing inclusive research methods can open doors for autistic researchers and participants, creating richer, more accessible forms of engagement. Traditional qualitative methods, like interviews, often rely on verbal communication and reading subtle cues, which can create barriers for autistic individuals. Autism is commonly described as a communication disorder, but the full picture is more complex: neurotypicals (those, who are not neurodivergent or autistic) and autistic people often struggle to fully understand each other, a phenomenon known as the “double empathy problem.” This issue arises because neurotypical people don’t always interpret autistic communication accurately, and vice versa, leading to misunderstandings.

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29th June 20238th November 2024

An Autistic Auto-Ethnographic Walk

I’m so pleased to announce that my film ‘An Autistic Auto-Ethnographic Walk’ has won the ‘Research Film’ award at the University of Reading’s Doctoral Conference.

This film is an auto-ethnographic walk, meaning that it is my perspective. This film highlights the lack of high-quality research regarding the authentic female autistic experience. I hope this silent film goes some way to explain the importance of asking ‘how do autistic women appropriate public space?’

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Jane Elizabeth Bennett

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