Research Requests
AV regularly receives requests from researchers to advertise opportunities for our community to participate in their research projects.
Each of the research studies listed below are current academic studies researching various aspects of the lives and experiences of individuals within our community.
They include information about the goal of the study, the participant eligibility criteria, what participation involves, and any remuneration or compensation for your time and input.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for any of the below studies and would like to participate, please click the link provided for that study to find out more or to register.
If you would like to know more about any of the studies, please contact the nominated researcher for more information.
Information for researchers
If you are an academic researcher seeking participants for a current study relevant to our community and you would like to advertise your study on our website, Please complete our research request form.
This form will ask you a series of questions about your study. Our admin team will use your responses to prepare a dot-point summary for upload to our website.
The form will also ask you to upload a PDF of your study's ethics approval. Please note that we cannot upload a study without an ethics approval.
When both of these steps have been completed, our research volunteer will be in contact with you to confirm that we have all of the required information and to advise you of the next steps.
All research requests are being processed by our Engagements Coordinator, which means that it may take a little longer for your study to be uploaded or for you to receive a response.
Studies currently seeking participants
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The Lived Experience of Asian Migrant Mothers of Children with Disability in Australia
This study explores the daily lived experiences of mothers of children with disability who migrated from Southeast and East Asia to Australia. We aim to understand how they use their time, the activities they engage in—including beyond caregiving—their thoughts and feelings about these activities, and how these experiences affect their wellbeing.
University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting this study:
School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney
Xinyi Yu, PhD candidate
Who is eligible to participate?
We are looking for people who are;
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Are mothers
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Are aged 18 years old or over
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Have at least one child, aged 0-18 years, with any type of disability
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Migrated from a Southeast or East Asian country.
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Currently live in Australia.
What does participating involve?
Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes. After completing the questionnaire, they will be invited to indicate whether they are interested in receiving information about a follow-up interview. This is only an expression of interest—not a commitment to participate.
How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people?
This research does not directly improve the lives of people with Asperger’s or those who are autistic. However, mothers are usually primary caregiver for their children with Aspergers or autism. Much research has demonstrated that caregivers’ daily activities are closely linked to their own wellbeing and quality of life—which, in turn, can influence the wellbeing of the children with disability in their care and even the whole family. Thus, a focused investigation into this group could further provide valuable insights for service providers and policymakers, ensuring that support services are culturally responsive and effectively address the specific challenges these migrant mothers face.
How can I register to participate?
Interested parties can click HERE
Researcher contact details:
Xinyi Yu, PhD candidate, xiyu0596@uni.sydney.edu.au
Closing date: 31 July 2026Early Childhood PathsWe are doing a study on family experiences of health and community support for babies with early signs of social or communication differences. Sometimes, the social and communication skills of babies can develop differently to what we expect – they may communicate, play, or interact with people or the environment differently to other babies of the same age. This study has received funding from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). University/ Institution/ Faculty conducting this study: The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University Professor Nora Shields, Chief Investigator Dr Samantha Wright, Research Project Manager Who is eligible to participate? Families of babies who:
What does participating involve? Taking part involves completing surveys and taking videos using your phone or computer three times over the course of one year. You will also be asked to complete a monthly log of the support services you receive. Are participants eligible for compensation / remuneration for completing the study? Families will receive a gesture of thanks at each of these three time points. At the end of the study, we will support eligible families to access an autism assessment for their young child in Victoria. Specific details can be accessed via the registration link. How will this research help people with Aspergers/Autistic people? Findings will be reported to the NDIA and research articles and presentations will contribute to research that can inform future program and policy development. How can I register to participate? To register interest in participating click HERE Find out more by contacting early.childhood.paths@latrobe.edu.au Closing date: 30 June 2026 |
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AI for All? AI use among Neurodivergent IndividualsIn this study, we seek to explore the use of AI companions among Neurodivergent individuals, examining how these technologies are used, the benefits and risks they may pose, and how Neurodivergent people can be supported to engage with AI in ways that are safe, ethical, and empowering. This is a short anonymous online survey University/Institution/Faculty conducting this study: La Trobe University Melissa Black, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Stuart Bender, Associate Professor, Curtin University Dr Louise White, Postdoctoral Researcher, La Trobe University Who is eligible to participate? Neurodivergent individuals (including Autistic individuals), caregivers/loved ones of Neurodivergent individuals, professionals working with Neurodivergent individuals. What does participating involve? Brief online anonymous survey (~10 minutes) Are participants eligible for compensation/remuneration for completing this study? Not for the current study given it is anonymous, however, we will also be performing interviews at a later date where individuals will receive a gift voucher Is travel required? No travel is required. How will this research help the Autism community? Neurodivergent individuals, including those who are Autistic, are at risk of exclusion in digital spaces, particularly as Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies expand in popularity and apparent accessibility. This is part of a larger project where we will seek to co-produce guidelines for safe, ethical and empowering AI use for Neurodivergent (including Autistic) individuals. How can potential participants register to participate? Directly via survey link: https://redcap.link/vh2b0mip Where can interested Individuals find more information? More information can be found by following the survey link or by contacting m.black@latrobe.edu.au Close Date: 31 May 2026 |
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The Lived experience of autistic adults with DCD participating in sport
Researchers at La Trobe University are seeking volunteer research participants to be involved in an anonymous online study. This study aims to understand the lived experience of sports participation in Autistic adults with co-occurring developmental coordination disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia).
University/Institution/Faculty conducting this study:
Olga Tennison Autism Research centre/La Trobe University
Professor Alison Lane - Principal Investigator - La Trobe University, School of Psychology and Public Health, OTARC
Dr Simon Bury - Co-Investigator - La Trobe University, School of Psychology and Public Health, OTARC
Dr Daryll Archibald - Co-Investigator - University of Dundee, School of Health Sciences
Jennifer Snowball - Student Investigator - La Trobe University, School of Psychology and Public Health, OTARC
Who is eligible to participate?
Adults over 18 with a formal diagnosis of Autism and DCD/Dyspraxia, Australian resident, understands English.
What does participating involve?
If you decide to take part in the research, you would be asked to:
- Do a short screening questionnaire
- Choose a format you wish to respond to interview questions (1-2 online via zoom/phone calls or a written response (email exchange))
- Book time for online interview (optional)
- Read through interview questions prior to responding(optional)
- Answer interview questions
- Review of transcripts (optional)
- Reviewing summary of results (optional)
Please note, with participants consent, Online and phone interviews will be recorded audio/audiovisual and transcribed.
Are participants eligible for compensation/remuneration for completing this study?
You will be reimbursed upon completion of your revision of your transcript.
Is travel required?
No travel is required.
How will this research help the Autism community?
Understanding of reasons why they participate or do not participate in sport. How they participate may allow for improvement in inclusive practices in this area. Understanding of how codiagnosis affects Autistic people may help to provide greater resources for this part of the wider Autistic community.
How can potential participants register to participate and find out more information?
To access screening and consent form, please click here: https://latrobe.questionpro.com/t/AbbLeZ645Q
Contact j.snowball@latrobe.edu.au
Close Date: 31 May 2026
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