Brett Heasman

Dr. Brett Heasman is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Education, Language and Psychology, York St John University. He holds a doctorate in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), an MSc in Social and Public Communication (LSE), an MSc in English Language (University of Edinburgh), and an MA in Linguistics and Classical Studies (University of Edinburgh). Before joining York St John, he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education, UCL.

• Education:
  • PhD, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, LSE
  • MSc, Social and Public Communication, LSE
  • MSc, English Language, University of Edinburgh
  • MA, Linguistics and Classical Studies, University of Edinburgh

Dr. Heasman’s research focuses on neurodivergent intersubjectivity, the double empathy problem, workplace adjustments for autistic individuals, and innovative methodologies like participatory research and immersive technologies. He developed the video game Dyad3D and the Open Minds exhibition (ESRC award-winning) and collaborates on the Wellcome Trust-funded Sensory Street project.

Recent publications address autism employment research, sensory experiences in public spaces, and critiques of neurotypical biases in psychological theory. His work has been presented internationally, including conferences in Japan, Canada, and the UK.

Scientific Awards:

• ESRC’s inaugural prize for Outstanding Future Career Promise (2017)
• Class Teacher Award, LSE Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science (2017)
• LSE Student Union Award for Mentoring and Personal Development (runner-up, 2017)

He supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students and serves as a 1st-year academic tutor. He is working towards a Higher Education Fellowship Award and collaborates with organizations like Matthew’s Hub Charity and Autistica on policy briefings for autistic employment.