Autism Champions is proud to support the upcoming Oxford Health BRC 2025 Neurodiversity Conference.
This conference is more than a meeting—it’s a movement toward a more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful approach to mental health research.
Drive Change in Research and Practice
Help shape a future where neurodivergent voices are central to research that directly affects them. Be part of discussions that could inform the development of a new neurodiversity-focused research theme within the NIHR Oxford Health BRC.
Build Interdisciplinary Bridges
Connect with people across academia, clinical practice, community organisations, and public engagement. Whether you're exploring co-occurring conditions or innovative interventions, you’ll find collaborative opportunities here.
Champion Neurodivergent Inclusion
Hear from neurodivergent speakers shaping the research agenda. Learn how their experiences are transforming mental health understanding and services across people’s lives.
EVENT NOW SOLD OUT!
What to Expect
Discussion
We’ll host a dynamic programme combining lived experience, cutting-edge research, and community engagement. The event features inspiring keynotes & panel discussions led by researchers, neurodivergent advocates, and clinical professionals.
Understanding
The conference features workshops & reflective sessions designed to foster shared learning, practical collaboration, and wellbeing. Our event prioritises a focus on lived experiences, with neurodivergent speakers integrated throughout every session.
Learning
Research Flash Talks from leading academics will explore adaptations to mental health interventions and neurodivergent-led research. There will also be plenty of networking opportunities to connect across disciplines—whether you’re an academic, practitioner, neurodivergent individual, parent, educator, or ally.
Meet the Speakers
-
Prof. Rachel Upthegrove
-
Prof. Cathy Creswell
Professor of Developmental Clinical Psychology
University of Oxford- Department of Experimental Psychology
-
Prof. Clare Mackay
University of Oxford- Department of Psychiatry
-
Prof. Ben Seymour
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
University of Oxford- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience
-
Andreia Costa
Project Manager - Training & ACD Oxford Health BRC
University of OxfordNeurodiversity Advocate & Community Connector Neurodiverse Voices Project & Podcast
-
Dr. Alex Lau-Zhu
MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow
University of Oxford- Department of Experimental Psychology
-
Dr. Jiedi Lei
Paul Foundation Clinical Research Fellow
University of Oxford- Department of Psychiatry & Experimental Psychology
-
Dr. James Stacey
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Oxfordshire Neurodevelopmental Conditions Pathway
Oxford Health Foundation Trust
-
Associate Prof. Polly Waite
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
University of Oxford- Department of Experimental Psychology
-
Associate Prof. Alexandra Hendry
NIHR & Castang Foundation Advanced Fellow
Associate Professor
University of Oxford- Department of Experimental Psychology
-
Edoardo G. Ostinelli PhD
Consultant Psychiatrist & Senior Researcher
University of Oxford- Department of Psychiatry
-
Dr. Angharad de Cates
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Academic Lead
University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry
Oxford Health BRC
NIHR Clinical Lecturer & Registrar in Adult Psychiatry, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham
-
Dr. Eloise Stark
University of Oxford, Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing
Clinical Psychologist
Oxford Health Foundation Trust
-
Dr. Cathy Manning
Autism and Sensory Processing: the Importance of the Environment
-
Dr. Simona Skripkauskaite
Department of Experimental Psychology
-
Dr. Dionysios Kyropoulos
Specialist Study Skills and Strategy Tutor at Oxford’s Disability Advisory Service
-
Dr. Ray Percy
Director of the AnDY Research Clinics Oxford and Reading
-
Dr. Rebecca Murphy
Clinical Research Director, The Centre for Research on Eating Disorders at Oxford (CREDO),
University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry
-
Dr. Eri Ichijo
Stipendiary Lecturer in Psychology & Assistant Dean
University of Oxford- St Hugh's College
-
Holly Haines
-
Lucas Shelemy
Research Clinical Psychologist
University of Oxford- Department of Experimental Psychology
-
Kerri Dempster
Research Participation and Inclusion Facilitator at NIHR South Central RRDN
-
Dee Nic Sitric
-
Alex Richardson
Ambassador of the National Autistic Society
-
Kimberley Ashwin
-
-
Kay Louise Aldred
Development Lead at Neurodiverse Connection
-
Jonathan Totman
Student Counselling Services, University of Oxford
-
Leandra Hamblin
Neurodiversity Advocate
-
-
Susan Liverman
Conference Schedule
-
Friday, September 19th
TICKETS SOLD OUT
09:30- 16:30
9.30am - 10am Welcome and Registrations
10am - 10.10am Welcome Keynote with Andreia Costa
10.10am - 10.30am Opening Address with Prof. Rachel Upthegrove
10.30am - 11.30am OH BRC Research Showcase Flashtalks: Adapting Mental Health Interventions to Support Neurodivergent Individuals Chaired by: Jonathan Totman
11.30am - 11.45am BREAK: COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS
11.45am - 12.45pm Panel Discussion: Lived Experience in Action: Neurodiversity and Research Chaired by: Prof. Catherine Harmer
12.45pm - 1.45pm LUNCH BREAK & NETWORKING
1.45pm - 2.40pm Flashtalks: Accessing Mental Health Support Pathways & Understanding Co-occurring Conditions Chaired by: Holly Haines
2.40pm - 2.55pm BREAK: COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS
2.55pm - 3.30pm Exploring Mental Health and Neurodiversity: A Mechanistic Approach Chaired by: Esther Teo
3.30pm - 4.30pm Closing Discussion: Working Together: Researchers, Neurodivergent People, and Families in Mental Health Research Chaired by: Prof. Cathy Creswell
Featured Speakers: Prof. Rachel Upthegrove, Alex Richardson, Dee Nic Sitric, Kerri Dempster, Kimberley Ashwin, Richard Liverman, Kay Louise Aldred, Dr. Jiedi Lei, Associate Prof. Polly Waite, Lucas Shelemy, Dr. Alex Lau-Zhu, Dr. Eloise Stark, Dr. Simona Skripkauskaite, Dr. Ray Percy, Dr. Cathy Manning, Dr. Rebecca Murphy, Associate Prof. Alexandra Hendry, Edoardo G. Ostinelli PhD, Prof. Ben Seymour, Dr. Eri Ichijo, Dr. Angharad De Cates, Dr. James Stacey, and Prof. Cathy Creswell -
Saturday, September 20th
TICKETS SOLD OUT
09:30- 16:309.30am - 10am Welcome and Registrations
10am - 10.10am Welcome Keynote with Andreia Costa
10.10am - 10.30am Inspirational Keynote: The Role of Advocacy and Community Support in Mental Health for Neurodivergent Individuals with Leandra Hamblin
10.30am - 11.15am Panel Discussion: Day One Debrief: Key Insights Chaired by: Kerri Dempster
11.15am - 11.30am BREAK: COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS
11.30am - 12.30pm Flashtalks: Neurodivergent Voices Shaping Mental Health Research Chaired by: Prof. Gaia Scerif
12.30pm - 2.00pm LUNCH BREAK & GUIDED WALK Led by: Ian Straughair 2.00pm - 3.30pm Workshop: Demystifying the Research Process Chaired by: Diana Verley, Jasmine Blaine, Holly Haines, Lena Beckers
3.30pm - 3.45pm BREAK: COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS
3.45pm - 4.30pm Closing Discussion: Lived Experience in Research: Reflections, Impact, and Inspiration Chaired by: Prof. Cathy Creswell
Featured Speakers: Leandra Hamblin, Dr. Jiedi Lei, Prof. Cathy Creswell, Jonathan Totman, Prof. Clare Mackay, Jamie Douglas, Susan Liverman, Dr. Dionysios Kyropoulos, Dee Nic Sitric, Andreia Costa, and Holly Haines