Aucademy hosts free weekly livestreams that discuss and explore Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent experiences and narratives. You can find a list of our guest-educators here, which sometimes includes our own members. Below are our regular hosts in alphabetical order.
Annette Foster PhD (she/they)
Dr Annette Foster (she/they) is a multidisciplinary performance and live artist, Autistic self-advocate who completed a PhD in 2021.
Annette’s autobiographical, multidisciplinary performance work has been informed by feminism, identity, gender, sexuality, and difference. Annette is dyslexic and dyspraxic, and was diagnosed as Autistic aged 39. This has led them to become an Autistic and neurodivergent self-advocate and to undertake a funded PhD at the University of Kent starting in 2016 and completed 2021.
Annette explains the gender and sexuality diversity of the Autistic community in training, outlined and bookable here.
Annette’s ambition was and is to collaboratively explore creative Autistic self-advocacy by producing art with workshop participants that aims to dispel stereotypes, in order to make Autistic women, non-binary and trans people more visible.
Ben Usher-Barrass (He/Him)
My name is Ben and I am a 22 year old Autistic from the UK. I love Marvel (MCU) and gaming on PC and PS5. I was diagnosed as Autistic in 2017 when I was 17 and recently identified as ADHD.
Ben’s Blog: Autisticality
Chloe Farahar PhD (she/they)
Dr Chloe Farahar (she/they) completed a PhD in social psychology with a programme of research specifically attempting to improve the dominant discourse surrounding “mental illnesses” (neuro-divergences). Using social psychological theory, Chloe created, developed, and uses a play (Stigmaphrenia©; Farahar, 2012) about the neuro-divergent nature of what is currently (and incorrectly) referred to as “madness” and “mental illness” in order to improve public attitude and behaviour, but more importantly, perceptions of the self.
Dr Farahar writes about the importance of positive Autistic identity, culture, community, and space/s for wellbeing.
David Gray-Hammond (he/him)
David Gray-Hammond (he/him) is an Autistic mental health, wellbeing, and addiction advocate and consultant. After overcoming addiction and psychosis, and leaving his career path in forensic science, he found himself diagnosed Autistic. He found his way into the Autistic community through his love of writing.
David’s specialisations range from experiences of addiction and mental health in the Autistic population, to various topics of wellbeing. He also has a significant interest in Forensic Psychology, and the link between autism and criminality.
He runs the Facebook page “Emergent Divergence” and also runs a blog of the same name at Emergent Divergence.
Jaesic Feathers (They/He)
Jaesic Feathers (they/he) is a queer, disabled, and neurodivergent life coach, blogger, community organizer, musician, and dancer among other things. Over the course of this past year, they have been building their blog, Queer Cult, to be a safer space for those of us who hold marginalized identities to come and feel heard, seen, and valid. There Jaesic shares their lived experience as a nonbinary, pansexual, polyamorous, autistic/ADHDer, disabled and spiritual without religion person in addition to raising awareness for social justice issues. (Might want different picture)
Katie Munday (they/them)
They have worked with Autistic and Disabled children since 2012 through nursery work, social groups and sports clubs.
Katie is currently studying an MRes in Gender Studies. Their research aims to collect and represent first-hand experiences of transgender and / or non-binary Autistic people.
Katie also reviews books for Routledge Publishers and contributes to an LGBTQIA+ Autistic blog: AIM for the Rainbow.
Potato Ben
Also Ben as his Potato alter-ego.
Si Hodgson/Northern Autie (he/they)
Northern Autie/Si Hodgson (he/they) – Autistic educator, self-advocate, Aucademy Lead Facilitator, & mayo enthusiast
Soph Myer-Kelley (they/him)
Soph Myer-Kelley (they/him) is a medical librarian at East Carolina University, an activist, an artist, and an autist. They are queer, nonbinary, trans, neurodivergent, and disabled. (Image)
Tigger Pritchard (he/him)
Tigger (he/him) is an educator and presenter for Aucademy, also hosting short videos about his Autistic discovery journey on Aucademy’s “Tigger Tuesdays”.
Tigger also shares his journey, self-understanding and personal insight via his YouTube channel and Instagram posts. Via his social media platforms, The Autistic Coffee shop with Tigger Pritchard and Coffee with Tigger, he avidly and passionately shares information/articles helping others to understand the world of Autistic, PDA and neurodivergent experiences. Tigger also volunteers within the Autistic community. Running a parent support group in Cornwall and a PDA support group across Devon and Cornwall, in England.
Victoria Busuttil (they/them)
Victoria Busuttil (they/them) is an Aucademy modmin who discovered they were Autistic when they were 44 and ADHD at 48. Their dedicated interest is textile art and was a finalist in an Emerging Artist award. Fan of squishmallows.