Ally Pax Arcari Mair

Biography

Background

I started my studies developing a broad interdisciplinary understanding to the concepts and methods of research which are fundamentally concerned with issues of what it means to be human, to experience ‘human’ things, and live in this often-baffling world. Beginning my academic journey with an MA (Hons) in Geography from the University of St Andrews, I started to focus in on key issues of identity, perception, and understanding, looking at patients’ own experience(s) and understandings of acute psychiatric wards.

With my academic interests converging in on psychological research, my need for tangible research outputs, and my own personal history of loss and neurodivergence which spurred my interest to pursue my current PhD research, I developed good foundations in psychology with the Psychology of Mental Health (Conversion) MSc degree here, at the University of Edinburgh.

Knowing where I wanted my research interests to take me, I opted to focus in on autistic social worlds for my master’s research, conducting an empirical dissertation on autism and friendship. Now, I am developing that further in my PhD as I am interested in what happens when those relationships end, what experiences of grief and loss mean in the context of neurodivergence, what an autistic grief may be, and developing knowledge in this area so that we may learn to better understand and support autistic individuals in times of grief and loss.

Undergraduate teaching

Tutoring:

  • Introduction to Disability Studies (24/25)
  • Identity and Experience in Health (23/24)

Postgraduate teaching

Tutoring:

  • Typical & Atypical Development (23/24 & 24/25)
  • Cognitive Psychology & Cognitive Disorders (24/25)

Research summary

My PhD research investigates autistic experiences of grief and loss. I am interested in the psychology, philosophy, and clinical understandings and implications of grief, bereavement, and loss (i.e. non-death loss and secondary/cumulative loss associated with both bereavement and/or non-death loss) broadly, and how we may best support individuals in/with times of grief and loss, especially in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders. I am also interested in experiences of transition and social relationships for autistic individuals in a broader sense, with past research focusing on autism and friendship and an ongoing interest in research which displays the lived experience(s) and stories of autistic individuals, especially in the context of social phenomena which often remain overlooked in the broader literature: love, loss, and understanding on the spectrum.

Current research interests

autism, neurodiversity & neurodivergence, grief, loss, bereavement, developmental psychology, accessible and inclusive research design, palliative care

Past research interests

meaningful engagement, community-based mental health, patient perceptions and understandings of acute psychiatric wards, co-production, geographies of power and identity, gender identity

Knowledge exchange

Past:

  • Autism & Grief at NES Bereavement Conference
  • Neuropoint - young persons' stakeholder group with Salvesen Mindroom Centre
  • Neurodiversity & Learning page for Reach Scotland with Neuropoint
  • Scottish Autism Research Conference 2023
  • Workshop & Posters at the It Takes All Kinds of Minds Conference (ITAKOM 23)
  • Transitions workshop for the University of Edinburgh's Autism Group
  • Neurodiversity 101 workshop for the University of Edinburgh's Autism Group
  • Autism Awareness & Acceptance document with Edinburgh University AS Group
  • Invited panel member at Children's Hearings Scotland neurodiversity training
  • Former member of Our Minds Our Future Scotland

 

 

Affiliated research centres

Project activity

Current projects as part of my PhD are focused on:

  • A photovoice study of autistic experiences of grief and loss

Some other projects I am currently involved in are concerned with:

  • Research on individuals' involvement in/with the neurodiversity movement

Current project grants

PhD funded by the University of Edinburgh's College Research Award

Conference details

Upcoming

  • European Grief Conference (Nov 2024) - Exploring the Neurodiversity of Grief (workshop)

 

Past

  • Autism & Grief: A social media study of grief and loss in the context of neurodivergence. Marie Curie Research Conference 2024. [2024 | Poster]
  • Autism & Grief: a social media study of experiences of grief and loss in the context of neurodivergence. Scottish Autism Research Group Conference. [2023 | Presentation]
  • A Rapid Review of the Evidence on Internet-Based Interventions for Bereavement Support. Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Conference 2023. [2023 | Poster]
  • Autism & Grief: A social media study of grief in the context of neurodivergence. NHS Education for Scotland Annual Bereavement Conference. [2023 | Poster]
  • Understanding the Neurodiversity of Grief: a systematic literature review of experiences of grief and loss in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders. Scottish Autism Research Group Conference. [2023 | Poster]
  • Community Views on Neurodiversity, Models of Disability, and Autism Supports: Attributing Disability to Society ≠ Rejecting Individual-Focused Intervention. International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting. [2023 | Poster]
  •  Understanding the Neurodiversity of Grief: a systematic literature review of experiences of grief and loss in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders. University of Edinburgh Health in Social Science PGR Conference. [2023 | Poster]

Invited speaker

  • ITAKOM 23 workshop as part of SMC's Neuropoint (March 2023):
    • Neurodiversify Your Mind: Neuropointers for an Inclusive Existence
  • Invited to present two posters at ITAKOM 23 (March 2023):
    • Physically Embodying Neurodivergence: Autism, ADHD & Auditory-Tactile Synaesthesia
    • Researcher vs. Researched: The Academic Complexities of Being Neurodivergent
  • Invited panel member at Children's Hearings Scotland neurodiversity training (June 2022)

Journal Publications

  • Thompson, E. L., Gillespie-Smith, K., Mair, A. P. A., & Obsuth, I. (2024). Exploring Emotional Dysregulation and Avoidance with Caregivers as the Mechanisms Linking Social Communication Understanding and Aggressive Behaviours. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06276-8
  • Mair, A. P. A., Nimbley, E., McConachie, D., Goodall, K., & Gillespie-Smith, K. (2024). Understanding the Neurodiversity of Grief: A Systematic Literature Review of Experiences of Grief and Loss in the Context of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-024-00447-0
  • Gillespie-Smith, K., Mair, A. P. A., Alabtullatif, A., Pain, H., & McConachie, D. (2024). A Spectrum of Understanding: A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Adults’ Understandings and Perceptions of Friendship(s). Autism in Adulthood. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0051

Protocols

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