IOE Public Engagement Masterclass: Centre for Research in Autism and Education

This masterclass is led by Dr Anna (Mel) Romualdez, Director of the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at IOE, alongside Dr Brian Irvine, Research Communications and Engagement Officer.

CRAE conducts scientific research to improve understanding of education, support, and life outcomes for autistic people, their families, and those who work with them. Central to the centre’s approach is participatory research – working with autistic people and their communities, rather than researching on or about them.

The team actively engages autistic people and their allies, including families, educators, clinicians, policymakers, and the wider public, to promote understanding, acceptance, and evidence-informed practice. Their public engagement activity includes collaborative research design, accessible knowledge sharing, an active programme of public events, and sustained partnerships with schools and practitioners through the Pan-London Autism Schools Network – Research (PLASN-R). This network enables practitioners to shape research questions, methods, and interpretation, embedding engagement throughout the research lifecycle.

The session will explore how participatory values can be embedded into engagement strategy and delivery, the practicalities of working with diverse stakeholder groups, and how engagement can meaningfully influence research and practice.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A and a short listening exercise to gather participants’ perspectives on public engagement at IOE. Further support and training opportunities will be shared with all attendees.

This event is open to all staff and students at UCL, and is particularly suited to IOE researchers, including research students, interested in developing their public engagement practice to ensure our research demonstrates tangible benefits beyond academia.

The masterclasses are organised by IOE Research Development to mark IOE Public Engagement Month. These masterclasses highlight the importance of considering public engagement as a core part of research by creating opportunities for dialogue with communities, industry, and policymakers. This enhances the applicability, social relevance, and visibility of our work. You are welcome to join this and all other sessions.

Access

These are in-person events. We aim to make our events as inclusive as possible so if you have any accessibility requirements or enquiries please contact us via t.dias@ucl.ac.uk so appropriate measures are taken.

Please also be aware that the session may be recorded by UCL. By registering to attend and joining the online session, you are consenting to be a part of our recorded sessions. We also recommend that you review our UCL privacy policy before signing up for this event.

IOE Public Engagement Masterclass Series 2026

Across these in-person sessions, award-winning IOE researchers with extensive experience in public engagement will share practical insights, approaches, and lessons learned from their work. Each masterclass will include opportunities for discussion and questions, as well as space for participants to reflect on their own experiences. Attendees will also be invited to provide feedback on IOE’s public engagement support, helping to inform future provision and embed public engagement more effectively across our research culture.

Links

• IOE Research: Engagement and impact

Image

Kirsten Holst for UCL.