02/04/2026
We're celebrating Autism Acceptance Month by showcasing the work of Connor, a Snowdon Master's Scholar alumni who is now using his lived experience of autism to inform his PhD research.
After graduating with a Distinction in MSc Applied Clinical Psychology, supported by the Snowdon Trust, Connor is now in the first year of his SWDTP ESRC-funded PhD with the University of Bath’s Department of Psychology, Centre for Applied Autism Research.
With autistic individuals being more vulnerable to sexual abuse (SA) and r**e and serious sexual offences (RaSSO) than non-autistic individuals, Connor aims to identify the risk factors which predict this and understand the experience of autistic victim-survivors of SA and RaSSO through a multi-perspective exploration (by interviewing autistic victim-survivors of SA and RaSSO, their parents/supporters, and criminal justice system professionals). Finally, Connor will produce materials for the criminal justice system, which intend to improve outcomes for autistic victim-survivors.
Connor is currently working on the scoping review and data collection for his study 1. His PhD is “going incredibly well”, with thanks to his fantastic supervisory team: Professor Katie Maras, Dr Tina Skinner, and Professor Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis.
“I am loving it, as it allows me to pursue my favourite interest (autism research) and contribute to the literature. The topic is very close to me as well, since I am an autistic victim-survivor of SA myself.”
Connor embodies disability leadership, driving research forward through expertise rooted in lived experience. We're proud to have supported his journey.
