معرفی
Mary Elizabeth Stewart is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University. She specializes in understanding autistic individuals’ experiences across the lifespan and promoting social inclusion. Her work spans theoretical, applied, and interdisciplinary research, addressing issues in education, employment, social care, and aging. She leads the Social Interaction, Mental Health, and Well-being Lab (SIMHW) and collaborates with institutions like the Global Research Institute in Health and Care Technologies and the National Robotarium.
Her research focuses on autism’s intersection with social participation, mental health, and quality of life. Methodologically, she employs participatory methods, co-design, and mixed approaches. Key collaborations involve engineering, robotics, linguistics, and urban design sectors. Current projects include studies on aging and autism in Scotland, online safety for neurodivergent youth, and equipping social workers to support autistic individuals.
- Awards: 2024 Principal’s Research Impact Awards, 2024 Research Culture Champion, 2022 Societal Engagement Award.
- Advising: Supervises 6 current PhD students and has graduated 4 students. Active in securing grants like the AHRC Ageing & Social Care project and NIHR-funded social work training initiatives.
- Labs/Teams: Director of SIMHW Lab; member of WattAge and the National Robotarium.
Her 62+ publications emphasize autistic perspectives in education, employment, and healthcare. Recent work highlights acoustic environment challenges and systemic barriers faced by neurodivergent populations.
