Emma Collis is a new PhD student, continuing her work with Professor Mark Brosnan and Dr Ailsa Reader in the Centre for Applied Autism Research (CAAR). Her PhD will focus on the identification of masking of restrictive repetitive behaviours in autistic adults, and assessing its impact on functioning, emotional states, and mental health. This work builds on her research from her MRes degree at the University of Bath on the experience of restrictive repetitive behaviours in autistic adults.

Emma spent the last year as a Research Assistant on the Inclusive Universities Project at the University of Bath, which focused on improving neurodiversity inclusion for both neurodivergent staff and students at the university. Emma was also involved in the running of the Online Bath Employment Spring School for Autism (OBESSA), an event organised by CAAR and JPMorgan for autistic students and graduates to help them seek and gain employment after university. As such, Emma is always looking for ways to apply research to better support autistic people with her work.