The La Trobe University initiative is designed to close the gap between autism research and impact.
La Trobe University has announced plans to establish a national autism research and knowledge translation hub.
The Australian Autism Knowledge Hub, which will be part of La Trobe’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, aims to improve the lives of Autistic people across the country by closing the gap between research and real-world support for Autistic people and their families.
“This initiative positions Australia as a global leader in translating autism research into real-world outcomes, demonstrating how genuine partnership with the community can drive lasting and meaningful change,” said La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell.
Collaborations and partnerships will be a key part of the Hub, including the university’s Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre and Australian Centre for Sex, Health and Society to ensure research findings are implemented in a culturally informed and responsive way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Autistic people and their families and members of Autistic LGBTQIA+ communities.
“We want to make it easier for Autistic people and their families to find out what works, quickly and without having to navigate multiple systems or trial-and-error approaches,” said OTARC Director Professor Alison Lane.
“At the same time, we aim to narrow the distance between research and practice so evidence-based supports can be adopted more rapidly across the community.”
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Professor Dawn Adams, who will serve as the inaugural director of the Hub, echoed Professor Lane’s comments about the need to address the gap between research and impact.
“Every year there are hundreds of autism research articles published in Australia, but they’re not creating enough real-world change,” said Professor Adams.
“The Hub has been designed to shift that, to create meaningful change in the lives of Autistic people across Australia.”
The Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will provide $11.1 million in funding over the next three years, while La Trobe will chip in a further $3.8 million.
“Establishing the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub at La Trobe University is a key step towards better outcomes for Autistic people in Australia,” said Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as part of the funding announcement.
Further information about the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub is available here.
