Dates
3-4th December 2026
Venue
Parkville Campus University of Melbourne
Hosted jointly by The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre and the University of Melbourne
More information on abstract call, submission and other details will follow.
Professor Margot Prior (1937-2020) published the very first Australian journal article focused on autism (in 1973), and was deeply involved in the creation of the Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR). In recognition of her substantial contributions to the field of autism research, she was awarded a lifetime membership to ASfAR upon its creation, with a dedicated Margot Prior Oral Presentation Prize for students awarded at each biennial Conference.
Following Professor Prior’s passing in 2020, the ASfAR Executive Committee decided to establish two competitive awards for Early Career Researchers (ECR), with one dedicated each year to an autistic researcher. The Margot Prior ECR Awards (each valued at $2,500) will be granted annually, with funds able to be used toward directly funding research activity or equipment including laboratory visits, conference travel, or any related activity to further the individual’s research endeavours.
Applications are sought from members who are within 5 years of the PhD being awarded (career interruptions will be considered), are full ASfAR members, and who have standing in a university or research institute capable of accepting and administering the award (award will be made to and administered by the applicant’s institution). The awardees must submit a report to the ASfAR Executive one-year post-award.
Applications are due by Friday, 24th April 2026 at 5 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time, and will be reviewed and ranked by members of the ASfAR Executive Committee.
Application forms, together with criteria and instructions, can be downloaded from https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1WQR1shrd7oixo3Dh0_VeGB-4oSpsalqW
Please email the completed application form, along with a brief (two page) CV as a separate file to secretary@asfar.org.au by 5tm AEST Friday 24th April 2026.
Any questions about the Margot Prior Awards can be directed to Laurie McLay: laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz
The 2025 Keynote showcase event is coordinated by A/P Iliana Magiati together with Dr. Patrick Dwyer and Prof. Dawn Adams from the ASfAR committee.
The event is available for ASfAR current members, so please ensure you become a member or update your membership
Date & Time
Dec 4, 2025 12:00 PM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
This 3-hour event follows the successful 2024 ASfAR Autistic Researchers’ online webinars and aims to feature and showcase Autistic researchers’ diverse career trajectories and recent/ current Autistic-led autism research.
We are delighted that Sandra Thom-Jones, Jac den Houting and Kana Grace have accepted our invitation to be this event’s keynote speakers!
Kana Grace
Information Poster (pdf)
Jac den Houting
Information Poster (pdf)
Sandra Thom-Jones
Information Poster (pdf)
1. Introductions (10min)
2. Kana Grace (30min including Q&A)
3. Jac den Houting (30min including Q&A)
Quick break
4. Sandra Thom-Jones (30min including Q&A)
5. Q&A panel discussion (15min)
Quick break
6. Panel/roundtable discussion for keynote speakers and Autistic ASfAR members only (45min)
The final panel is reserved for Autistic ASfAR members. However, the rest of this showcase is by no means intended specifically for Autistic researchers. Both Autistic and non-autistic ASfAR members are welcome to attend speaker presentations and the first 15 minutes of Q&A panel discussion.
Prague Congress Centre
5. kvetna 1640/65
140 00 Prague 4 – Nusle
Czech Republic
INSAR 2026 Call for Abstracts
Abstract Submission Dates: September 2, 2025 – October 16, 2025