Introduction
Applications for our 2020 intake closed on Sunday 19th of July 2020.
To be kept informed of future programs, and other programs offered by the Sylvia Rodger Academy, click the link below.
COVID-19 and the Research Program
We will adhere to the rules provided by the Government over the coming months, and will keep the selected applicants updated on any changes to the Program delivery as a result of these rules.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the 2020 Research Program an applicant must:
- be an autistic adult and/or autism researcher
- be aged 18 or older as of the 30th of June 2020
- live in Australia (as an Australian citizen or permanent resident)
- be willing and available to participate in all of the program activities, and
- have an interest in both
- learning the skills to undertake co-production, and
- engaging in co-production.
It is not important to have previous experience in co-production as the program is best suited to those who would want to build, develop and learn new skills for co-production.
What does the Research Program involve?
The Research Program involves two streams – one for autistic adults, and one for autism researchers (who also may identify as autistic).
Autistic participants will gain knowledge about the research process and learn the skills to participate in co-production through a series of training and development initiatives, including:
- completing 7 online training modules, each module taking up to 4 hours with a module per fortnight (September to December 2020)
- attending a 3.5-day/3-night residential workshop in Brisbane (January 2021)
- undertaking a 50+ hour volunteer placement with an autism researcher (February to May 2021)
- being a part of a network of autistic people and autism researchers engaged in co-production.
Autism researchers will learn the skills to participate in co-production through a series of training and development initiatives, including:
- completing online readings and assessment (September to December 2020)
- attending a 1.5 day residential workshop in Brisbane (January 2021)
- being a part of a network of autistic people and autism researchers engaged in co-production.
Program participants are required to participate in all of the activities listed in their relevant stream. More information about each of the activities can be found in the Applicant Information Pack.
There is no cost to participate in the Program for autistic participants – travel, meal and accommodation expenses for the residential workshop will be covered. For autism researchers, accommodation expenses and meals for the residential workshop will be paid for.
If you are an autistic autism researcher, it’s recommended that you apply for the stream that suits you best. You can read more about each stream in our Applicant Information Pack. If you would like help making your decision, you can contact Olivia (Liv) via email on ogatfield@autismcrc.com.au or 0411 094 346.
Application and selection process
There are three parts to the application.
- Part A is a set of general questions about who you are
- Part B is a series of selection questions (you can answer these in writing, via PowerPoint or via video)
- Part C is a series of marketing questions and a declaration that you have filled out the application yourself.
More information about the application process can be found in our Applicant Information Pack.
Important things to know
- Applications closed Sunday 19th of July 2020
- You will get an email confirmation within 3 business days confirming we've received your application
- After the closing date, all of the applications will be considered by a selection panel
- You will find out if you have been offered a place in the Research Program by email between Monday the 24th and Friday the 28th of August 2020
- We expect there will be approximately 15 places for autistic participants and 10 places for autism researchers in this year’s program. It is very likely we will receive more applications than this number so not everyone who applies will be offered a place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you can find answers to some of the questions you may have about the Research Program.
Fortunately, most of the Program is delivered online. We will adhere to the guidelines provided by the Government, and would keep the selected applicants updated on any changes the Program delivery.
Co-production, sometimes called peer research, involves autism researchers and autistic people working together to ensure that what is being researched and how it is being researched is relevant to and appropriate for people on the spectrum. Co-production recognises, and equally values, the skills of researchers and the expertise that autistic people have gained through their lived experience.
Evidence suggests that the benefits of co-production include: improved research processes and better targeted measures and interventions; better community engagement and knowledge translation; improved trust of, and communication with, researchers; and better directed research funding.
We are looking for autistic people and/or autism researchers who want to upskill by learning how to participate in co-production. This means we aren’t looking for a set amount of experience in research – however, those applying for the autism research stream should be currently working as researchers.
If you are an autistic autism researcher, it’s recommended that you read through the information provided about each stream so you can decide what would best suit you. You can read more about each stream in our Applicant Information Pack.
If you would like help making your decision, you can contact Liv via email on ogatfield@autismcrc.com.au.
There is no cost to participate in the Program for autistic participants – travel, meal and accommodation expenses for the residential workshop will be covered. For autism researchers, accommodation expenses and meals for the residential workshop will be paid for. Autism researchers will need to cover their own travel costs.
No, you can’t submit an application on someone else’s behalf.
However, you are welcome to tell someone you think they should apply. You can also help them with their application if you want to.
You are welcome to get a friend, support person or family member to help you complete your application.
Examples of ways people might help are by filming or interviewing you, or helping you to write your responses.
If someone helps you, it is important that you know about and agree with everything that is being said in your application.
No, unfortunately we are not able to offer our 2020 Program internationally.
The Research Program is for adults so you are not eligible this year.
To receive notifications about other upcoming Programs offered by the Sylvia Rodger Academy, click the link below.
If you completed Research Academy in 2015 or 2017 you are not eligible to apply.
If you completed the Governance Program or Future Leaders, you are eligible to apply on the same basis as other applicants. This means your suitability for this program will be assessed using the information you provide in your application.
There won’t be any interviews.
We will only ask more questions during the application process (by email) if something in your application is unclear.
The exact dates for the residential workshop are still being determined. It is planned to take place in January 2021 in Brisbane at the Best Western PLUS Hotel Diana in Woolloongabba. Autism CRC will pay for the travel and accommodation costs for autistic participants. Autism researchers will have their accommodation costs covered, but will need to pay for their own travel.
Decisions will be based on several different factors including:
- where you live
- your specific motivation to be involved in peer research, and
- what we know about your areas of interest and/or research from your application.
No, this is not an employment program.
No, we consider attending the residential workshop to be an essential part of the Research Program.