The Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) is pleased to share that Dr. Claire Brown from La Trobe University has been awarded the Margot Prior Award under the open category and Dr. Belinda Fuss from Flinders University has been awarded under the Autistic category. Both Claire and Belinda have accepted the award.

Congratulations Belinda and Claire!

Dr Belinda Fuss’s project, ‘Elevated risk of harm associated with autistic children at risk of elopement: a multi-setting practical consultation on the needs of children and caregivers during an environmental-based emergency,’ is part of a larger effort aiming to develop needs-based instructions for emergency services, using the experiences of caregivers and autistic adults in different environments to make emergency rescues physically and psychologically safer for autistic children.

Dr. Claire Brown’s project is based on the Suicide Prevention for Autism Neuroaffirming Toolkit (span.toolkit): a co-produced, evidence-based resource portal that assists mental health professionals to identify and respond to suicidal thoughts and behaviour in autistic adults. The project will evaluate the co-production methodology underpinning this work, by drawing on feedback from the autistic people who helped develop it. The outcome will be a peer-reviewed model for safe, accessible, neuroaffirming and trauma-informed co-production in autism research, with particular relevance to mental health and suicide prevention.

Margot Prior (1937-2020) published the very first Australian journal article focused on autism (in 1973) and was deeply involved in the creation of 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. Upon Professor Margot Prior’s passing, the ASfAR Executive Committee established two competitive awards each valued at $2,500 for Early Career Researchers (ECR), with one dedicated each year to an autistic researcher.

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.

2027 application information to be announced soon.

Any questions about the Margot Prior Awards can be directed to Laurie McLay: laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz