Research & Advocacy

Research & advocacy at AQ

At Autism Queensland (AQ), we are committed to advancing understanding, improving outcomes, and advocating for the rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation of autistic people through evidence-informed practice, research, and collaboration.

Advocacy projects Research projects Research articles

Our past and present research and advocacy projects and collaborations help inform evidence-based practice, strengthen advocacy, and drive positive change for autistic people. Our research explores areas including education, sensory processing, clinical practice, professional development, and service evaluation.

Through partnerships with national and state organisations, including the Australian Advisory Board on Autism, Australian Autism Alliance, Queensland Disability Advisory Council, Autism CRC, and the Autism Hub, we have a commitment to contribute to research, initiatives, and advocacy that reflect the experiences and priorities of the autism community.

Autism Cooperative Research Centre for Autism (Autism CRC)

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AQ played a key role in the development of a bid for a Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) and has been an essential participant in many of its funded projects. Published reports for these projects can be read Autism CRC links below:

Ongoing or projects yet to be analysed or reported on:

Middle Years Behaviour Support Project (collaboration with schools in the Rockhampton and Cairns regions).
Collaborative Partnerships in Action Project (long-term goal to develop professional resources showcasing three real-life case studies of collaborative education partnerships between students, teachers, and families).
Educator’s Guide to My Way EmployABILITY Project (involving teachers participating in the trial and evaluation of teacher resources to support transition planning for students).

Community research projects seeking participants

The following community-submitted research projects are seeking participants to help build knowledge, inform future practice, and ensure research reflects lived experience. AQ screens all projects before sharing with our community but we are not directly affiliated, nor endorse the views, activities, or organisations of the researchers involved.

I am interested in advertising a research project or survey with AQ
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$250 advertisement fee applicable

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All applications undergo a strict screening process.

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You must read, understand, and acknowledge our application process.

Upon successful application and receipt of fee payment, the project will be promoted across the AQ website, socials, and newsletter where possible and suitable. Terms, conditions, fees, and eligibility apply, see policies page for full details.

See below current open community research projects. If there are none listed below there are no current projects being advertised. Keep checking back as this page is regularly updated.

🔍 Community project: Testing the value of virtual reality (VR)
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Ethical clearance

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Autistic adults 18+

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$20 thank you gift card

Virutal reality (VR) is increasingly being used in educational and clinical sectors, and beyond. However, there are important questions about how VR could be applied as tools to promote wellbeing for autistic people. In this study, researchers are interested in understanding your experience of a VR environment that has been specially created.

Autistic adults (18+) are encouraged to participate, whether formally diagnosed or self-diagnosed as autistic. You must have English fluency, be willing to use virtual reality, and have no history or current diagnosis of a major psychiatris or neurological illness, or any physical disability that might impede your ability to use the technology.

Participation will help improve the understanding of virtual reality and how to create more engaging and immersive environments to promote wellbeing for autistic people. Participants will be provided with a $20 gift card as thanks.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 0466 496 031