Launched in 2016, the Autism Community Research Network @Southampton [ACoRNS] is a collaborative academic Centre dedicated to informing and improving experiences of autistic children, young people and adults. Through co-produced research, ACoRNS informs and enhances education, health, and community services through bridging research, policy, and practice to create meaningful impact.
ACoRNS is co-directed by Professors Sarah Parsons (Education) and Hanna Kovshoff (Psychology).
Working in partnership with experts by experience, professionals, schools, local authorities, and community organisations, ACoRNS takes neurodiversity-informed, strengths-based approaches to:
- Identify research questions that matter to practice and the wider autism community
- Develop and apply innovative and creative methods to support and empower autistic children, young people and adults to share their views and experiences to improve outcomes
- Co-create accessible, shareable resources in collaboration with autistic people and their families
- Generate high-quality research evidence that informs and shapes practice, policy, and future research
- Create positive impacts on professional practice, public understanding and lived experiences
- Educate and mentor the next generation of expert professionals, including teachers and educational psychologists
- Provide continuing professional development opportunities through training and knowledge exchange
We have received prestigious external funding for our research from the , , Epilepsy Research UK, and the .
ACoRNS was honoured with the for making an outstanding contribution to the University’s ‘Triple Helix’ mission, strengthening the connections between education, research and knowledge exchange, and enterprise.