Research Team
Professor Manuela Barreto
is the Principle Investigator of this project. Manuela’s research focuses on the impacts of stigma and marginalization in a variety of contexts. She has ample experience of project management, research engagement, and impact, and is keen to support work that has the potential to improve people’s lives.
Professor Manuela Barreto’s profile
Dr Char Goodwin
is a Co-Investigator on this project. Char’s research focus is improving cancer care for autistic people. She is autistic and has lived experience of breast cancer and will be the lead researcher on this project bringing expertise in both areas. Char has previous experience working in clinical trials and investigating visual perception using fMRI.
Dr Char Goodwin’s profile
Professor Ginny Russell
is a Co-Investigator on this project. Prof. Russell trained as a researcher at the BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol, becoming a television producer/director. Since 2008 she has studied autism, ADHD and neurodiversity as an academic, publishing over 50 papers and a book. She has also freelanced as a reporter for Radio 4’s Natural History Programme and Science in Action on the BBC World Service.
Professor Ginny Russell’s profile
Collaborators
Ms Eleanor Jane Turner
is a post CCT Breast & General Surgeon and Medical Editor for Medico-Legal Journal. Ms Turner’s expertise in breast surgery and breast cancer will be vital in this research project by providing specialist knowledge of the procedures, associated recovery and aftercare, as well as providing advice for the implementation of accommodations and findings for the guidelines to healthcare professionals in work package 4.
Dr Mary Doherty
is a Neurodiversity-affirmative Autism Expert (Healthcare & Medical Education), Consultant Anaesthetist and founder of the peer-suport and advocacy groups ‘Autistic Doctors International’ and ‘Autistic Med Students’. Dr Doherty regularly delivers presentations and talks about stigma and deficit-led narrative around autism and dispels the misinformation and stereotypes of autism with experiences from autistic people and research findings from studies conducted by Autistic Doctors International. Dr Doherty’s important research into the healthcare barriers experienced by autistic adults was crucial to the formation of this research project which will add to the findings reported by Dr Doherty and colleagues.
Dr Sebastian Shaw
is a Lecturer in Medical Education (Research Methods) at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, where he is also the Neurodiversity Lead on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team for Postgraduate Taught courses. He is also the Research Lead for Autistic Doctors International. Seb is clinically trained and active, currently working as a part-time GP Speciality Registrar alongside his academic roles. Seb is multiply neurodivergent himself (autistic/ADHD/dyslexic) ad draws on his lived experience in his research. He recommended the research methodology that will be used in this project and has expertise in these methods. He is also well experienced in researching the experiences of neurodivergent people in medical education and practice. This prior research has laid the foundations for this project by identifying barriers to accessing healthcare for autistic people. This project will build upon the research conducted by Seb and Autistic Doctors International to report autism-specific barriers associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, seeking to promote meaningful change through empowering the voices of autistic participants.