The Autism Research Centre is directed by University of Canterbury’s Professor Laurie McLay of the Child Well-being Research Institute, Associate Director Ann-Marie Kennedy, in collaboration with the Autistic Partnership Aotearoa New Zealand, Chaired by Dr Ruth Monk. It includes researchers, students, and autism community members from throughout New Zealand, with vast international connections.
Autism Research Centre - Academic Researchers
Email: laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz
Child Well-being Research Institute
Research interests: sleep, digital supports, telehealth, youth mental health and well-being, caregiver mental health and well-being, professional education.
Associate Professor Ann-Marie Kennedy
Email: Ann-marie.kennedy@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: sustainability, marketing’s influence on children, mental health, sexual harm prevention, alcohol harm reduction, vulnerable consumers, social marketing.
Dr Ruth Monk (Chair)
Email: ruth.monk@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: Autism, Autistic Community, Autism Community, Participatory Research, Community Engagement, Co-production, Lived Experience, Autistic Perspective, Neurodiversity, Advocacy.
William Grant (Kai Tahu, Ngāti Porou)
Email: William.grant@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: Critical theory, law, tikanga Māori and common law, indigenous rights, human rights, criminal justice, wellbeing, neurodiversity
Email: Cassandra.mudgway@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: legal reasoning, criminal law, gender/sexuality and the law, international human rights law, constitutional law, evidence law and international criminal law
Dr Jolene Hunter (Child and Family Psychologist)
Email: Jolene.hunter@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: Neurodiversity; sleep health; mental health; child, adolescent and family well-being
Dr Nick Bowden (University of Otago)
Email: nick.bowden@otago.ac.nz
Research interests: lifecourse research; population-level data; health; mental health; mortality risk; education; pharmaceutical use co-occurring conditions; criminal justice.
Dr Jenna van Deurs (Child and Family Psychologist)
Email: jenna.vandeurs@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: Child, adolescent, and family wellbeing; Caregiver mental health; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Anxiety; Neurodiversity; Sleep
Dr Hannah Waddington (Victoria University of Wellington)
Email: Hannah.waddington@vuw.ac.nz
Research interests: neurodiversity affirming practice, culturally responsive practice; early identification and support
Dr Jessica Tupou (Victoria University of Wellington)
Email: jessica.tupou@vuw.ac.nz
Research interests: Takiwātanga, autism and neurodiversity; culturally responsive practice; inclusive education; mātauranga Māori and early support.
Email: lisa.emerson@canterbury.ac.nz
Affiliation: University of Canterbury
Research interests: Mental health and well-being of Autistic youth and their families; participatory research design, digital mental health supports; Autistic and autism communities priorities for autism research.
Dr Troy Ruhe (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ma'uke; University of Otago)
Email: troy.ruhe@otago.ac.nz
Research interests: Pacific health, Pacific research methodology, Pacific data sovereignty
Dr Ashley Hinten
Email: ashley.hinten@canterbury.ac.nz
Research interests: Early Autism Identification and Support, Developmental Psychology, Media Psychology, Science Communication
Autistic Partnership: Aotearoa New Zealand
The Autistic Partnership Advisory Group also forms a core part of the Autism Research Centre. Find out more here.
You are welcome to reach out to any of the ARC members using the email provided.
