Conference 2022
Thanks to all for making the 2022 conference a success. This is what a few of our attendees said:
“It was great to hear such a diversity of experiences and opinions.”
“Very Useful – looking at different aspects/viewpoints involving autism.”
“Thank you so much, it has been brilliant – so relevant and insightful for an autistic very late diagnosed woman and parent/carer working in local government bus struggling to maintain FT employment and remain healthy (physical and mental) and thriving. Please do run this conference again.”
“Fantastic event! So many different points of view. Very glad to see AP being made welcome to the event.”
“Was great to have a diversity of experiences in different contexts. Really generous sharing of experiences – thanks for all. Great day!”
There is overwhelming support to make this an annual event – watch this space!
Conference 2022 recording:
The conference recording is available here. Please note: We apologise that the recording quality is poor, we will do better next year! But if you have any questions about any of the sessions, or have a suggestion for our 2023 conference, please contact us.
Programme:
| 10:00 to 10:45 | Registration and refreshments | |
| 10:45 to 11:00 | Intro and housekeeping | Nicola Martin |
| 11:00 to 12:00 | Session 1 | The employability journey
Nicola Martin Judith Kerem |
| 12:00 to 13:00 | Session 2 | Routes to developing an autistic person’s career
Philip Wilson Mahlia Amatina |
| 13:00 to 14:00 | Lunch | |
| 14:00 to 15:00 | Session 3 | Autism doctoral studies, findings and future
Ian Iceton Barbara Sandland |
| 15:00 to 16:00 | Session 4 | Improving employment outcomes for the autistic community
Nick Heckscher Katie Ralph |
| 16:00 to 16:30 | Whole panel Q&A and closure | Craig Walker |
| 16:30 to 17:00 | Networking and refreshments |
Biographies and talk titles
Mahlia Amatina:
Role: Neurodivergent artist and advocate
Talk title: Portfolio careers: a viable option for autistic people?
Bio: After being diagnosed with autism in 2015, Mahlia was inspired to share the unique sensory experiences of life on the autism spectrum through her art. Her visionary work includes vibrant abstract paintings, immersive interactive installations, writing and innovative digital pieces, with themes centring on her personal diagnosis journey, as well as raising understanding and acceptance around neurodiversity.
Mahlia’s advocacy work is core to her practice, with autism in the workplace, and the building of neurodiverse-inclusive working environments of a particular interest. She writes regularly for Employment Autism and is a qualified coach and mentor.
Nick Heckscher
Role: Chief Operating Officer, SSCL Resourcing
Talk title: The case for autism Inclusion as a template for inclusion for all
Bio: Nick has over 25 years’ experience in the recruitment industry designing, implementing and delivering transformational recruitment programmes. Currently he is Chief Operating Officer at SSCL, where his teams place approximately 50,000 staff per annum into predominantly public service roles. Prior to SSCL, Nick spent 3 years in the social enterprise sector helping employers to improve outcomes for autistic talent.
Ian Iceton
Role: Independent consultant
Talk title: The issues and opportunities for organisations in recruiting and then retaining autistic employees: a summary of my doctoral research findings
Bio: As a HR Director for 25 years, I have considerable experience in all aspects of the employment ‘function’ within organisations, I also have considerable experience of Diversity and Inclusion issues generally.
I have recently completed a six-year, part-time Doctorate at Cranfield University, focusing on the issues and opportunities for organisations in recruiting and then retaining Autistic employees. I would aim to share a summary of my findings in my conference speech.
Judith Kerem
Role: Development Director of CareTrade charity
Talk title: The workplace in practice: Real-life experience
Bio: Judith has worked in the field of autism for over 23 years. She is currently the Development Director at CareTrade Charitable Trust, a small charity that provides training for young people with autism who want to move into employment. Judith has previously worked at Treehouse School and the National Autistic Society.
In 2004 she completed her MA in Lifelong Learning at Birkbeck, which has led to successful programmes and projects being developed to support employment for Autistic graduated and job seekers. Judith regularly carries out training and consultancy and has presented at a number of conferences both in the UK and internationally.
Nicola Martin
Role: Nicki is currently Professor of Social Justice and Inclusive Education. Nicola is also a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge and Sheffield Hallam Universities, a National Teaching Fellow and a Fellow of the RSA.
Talk title: A research informed exploration of barriers and enablers in relation to autism
Bio: Nicola has 35 years’ experience in education working with disabled pupils and students from nursery age to adults in FE and HE and an international research profile in the field. Her research interests are informed by emancipatory principles and include: universal design for inclusive learning, multi-agency collaboration, equality and diversity, critical disability /autism studies, mentoring and understanding bereaved parents and siblings.
Katie Ralph
Role: Chair fast stream autism spectrum network – Civil Service
Talk title: What it means to be autistic in a non-autistic world.
Bio: Katie is an autistic 2nd year Project Delivery Fast Streamer based in the Civil Service. In her first year Katie co-chaired the Fast Stream Disability Network and after experiencing some challenges with a line manager set up and founded the Fast Stream Autism Spectrum Network (FSASN) to support other Autistic Fast Streamers. FSASN has gone from strength to strength with a fantastic team supporting a monthly cross government newsletter since 2021, and this year has delivered a series of workshops called ‘supporting autistic colleagues’ to over 2,000+ civil servants across 24 government depts/non ministerial dept with overwhelming positive feedback.
Barbara Sandland
Role: Recently Completed Doctoral Student
Talk title: Navigating the Post-Doctoral ‘black-hole’ from the perspective of an autistic student
Bio: Barbara has recently achieved her PhD through the University of Birmingham, with no modifications. As an autistic individual and mother to autistic children she brings personal insight, alongside critical research, to the field of autism. Since completing her PhD, Barbara is navigating the complexities of post-doctoral employment in academia, alongside an intolerance of uncertainty which is a significant feature of her autism.
Philip Wilson
Role: Civil Service Fast Stream chief psychologist, Head of Assessment, Training and Curriculum
Talk title: Creating great work experience opportunities for autistic people
Bio: Phil leads the design of the Fast Stream assessment process, along with the diversity and inclusion strategy and leadership curriculum for Civil Service Fast Stream and Emerging Talent. He also oversees the multi-award winning Summer Diversity Internship Programme, Early Diversity Internship Programme, Autism Exchange Internship Programme and other positive action and outreach activities.
Prior to this role he was Head of Occupational Psychology at the London Fire Brigade, as well as Acting Head of Occupational Psychology for Greater Manchester Police and has operated as a consultant for a range of industries. He has presented at numerous professional conferences/seminars, and sits on a variety of advisory boards and chaired national committees.
