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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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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

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.

Continue reading “ICCC Winter Research Symposium”

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Creative Methods: Autistic Researchers and Research Participants

Sentio Journal Header

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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An Autistic Auto-Ethnographic Walk

Image Crossing the Road

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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CPRA Grant

CPRA Long Banner

Exploring Identity and Access Through Sensory-Inspired Art, Autistic Women and Public Space

I am delighted to share that I will be creating a new body of work comprising screen prints and artist books, thanks to the generous support of the Creative Practice Research Academy (CPRA) grant. This project will explore the profound impact of heightened sensory processing on women’s identity and how it influences their access to, and engagement with, public spaces.

Through this work, I aim to ignite important conversations surrounding disability, public access, and gender. My creative practice acts as visual elicitation—a means of sparking dialogue. To inform the project, I have begun engaging with autistic women via my social media platforms, inviting them to share their experiences of ‘otherness’ in social spaces. These candid and often deeply personal perspectives are shaping both the aesthetics of the prints and artist books and the overall direction of the project.

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