About the Centre for Autism and Theology

Autism is now recognized to be common, and most faith communities will include autistic people. It is easy to assume that autism can be considered in isolation from faith commitments, and that those who have a diagnosis of autism can process it without reference to their faith. Communities and persons of faith, however, always process and understand their experiences in ways that are shaped by that faith, which is itself formed by their traditions and sacred texts. Where those texts and traditions shape their lives in healthy ways, their response to the opportunities and challenges constituted by conditions such as autism will be enriched, and may facilitate a kind of care from which our society more widely may learn and may derive blessing. The nature and reality of autism will always be interpreted and understood through the prism of shared and embodied faith, and this must be recognized. 

At the Centre we host research that will help to foster positive understandings of autism and other neurodivergences, drawing on sacred texts and theological traditions, and sometimes challenging the misuse of these. In the first instance, this is intended to help faith communities to respond well to the lived reality of autism. Whilst most of the research in the Centre takes place within the Christian tradition, the Centre intends to develop its engagement with other communities of faith, with the third sector more widely, and with the medical sciences. Within this, our researchers do not claim expertise beyond the tradition(s) and disciplines that they find themselves in, but actively welcome interaction with a diversity of viewpoints and areas of expertise.  

Thus at the Centre we encourage a three-fold approach: 1) engagement in rigorous theological research, informed and often led by autistic researchers; 2) serving and working with autistic people and faith communities; and 3) interacting with other academic disciplines and the third sector. 

The Centre for Autism and Theology is embedded in the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History and is closely linked to several other projects and research centres at the University of Aberdeen, including The Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability, the Centre for Ministry Studies, and the Friendship House Initiative. 

Vision

At the Centre for Autism and Theology we envision faith communities where autistic and other neurodivergent people are deeply valued and are actively supported and resourced to thrive in their faith. In this way, neurodivergent people are empowered to bring vital gifts that strengthen and enrich their faith communities.

Mission

At the Centre for Autism and Theology we seek to realise this vision by being a centre of excellence in academic research. In dynamic partnership with our stakeholders, we work together to translate our research into impacts and outcomes that promote human flourishing.

To this end, at the Centre for Autism and Theology we have three core areas of activity:

1. We undertake academic research, committed to building expertise in the area of autism (and neurodiversity more broadly) in relation to spirituality/religion and theology.

2. We develop resources in response to grassroots needs and stakeholder requests. These resources are aimed at creating change which supports the faith and spirituality of autistic and other neurodivergent people, within and beyond their faith communities. The breadth, frequency, and consistency of resources produced by the Centre – such as our podcast, webinars, topical groups, and the Neurodiversity and Faith series – offer multiple entry points, thereby enhancing accessibility and engagement with our research outputs.

3. We provide an international and interdisciplinary hub for researchers, bringing them into dialogue with other interested parties such as faith communities, care organisations, and individuals. This approach helps to ensure that research agendas are guided by, and are responsive to, the needs of those most affected by the research.

Collectively, these strands produce robust academic research with practical application, strengthening the evidence base needed for effective policy engagement.

Values

Hospitality

Hospitality is a core value for us at the Centre for Autism and Theology. We are an organisation that engages with people from all kinds of academic and non-academic backgrounds. The Centre is a place where everyone is valued – both neurodivergent and neurotypical people. In theological terms: at the Centre for Autism and Theology we recognise that all people bear the image of God.

Hospitality means that our centre is a place where we learn from one another and where new ideas are welcomed. It also means embracing differences – not in the expectation that we will always agree, but in the commitment to respect each other’s perspectives and to engage in open, constructive discussion. This includes creating a hospitable space for continuous dialogue with and between academic researchers and those with lived experience of neurodivergence.

In Krysia’s words: “It's one of the few places I think that goes ND and NT people sitting in a room together playing nicely together well - which is an achievement in itself.”

Credibility and trustworthiness through quality and co-production and co-leadership

At the Centre for Autism and Theology we seek to deliver high quality output in terms of our research, our research processes – particularly the co-production of projects involving diverse neurotypes – and in the resources we produce for faith communities.

In addition we seek to research with integrity by prioritising and promoting autistic/neurodivergent leadership, and by supporting collaboration with non-autistic/neurotypical leadership.

We prioritise quality and consistency by maintaining a regular schedule for our change-making resources. This includes consistent broadcasting of our podcast and webinar series, as well as the publication of regular editions of our newsletter.

Collaboration between academic research and third sector organisations (including churches)

At the Centre for Autism and Theology we work at the intersection of academic research, the third sector and grassroots organisations. Whilst we specialise in high quality, academic research, we seek to realise our vision of ‘Resourcing Faith Communities’ by working in partnership with each of these stakeholder groups.

Curiosity

Curiosity is at the heart of research, as it drives us to explore what is not yet known. At the Centre for Autism and Theology, we cultivate this curiosity by actively engaging with the latest developments in the field – both in academic autism and neurodiversity research and within grassroots communities.

At the Centre for Autism and Theology we are committed to widening our scope, both by engaging with religious traditions outside Christianity and by facilitating research that encompasses neurodivergences other than autism.

Impact-Driven

Our research is focused on developing understanding that leads to impact, resourcing beneficial change both in the lives of autistic and neurodivergent people, and in the faith communities to which they belong and contribute.

Memorandum of Understanding between

Centre for Autism and Theology and the Koinonia Inclusion Network

The Centre for Autism and Theology (Aberdeen) and the Koinonia Inclusion Network (Singapore) are delighted to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN) is a Singapore-based Christian organisation that partners with churches to help them include people with disabilities. KIN offers a wide range of services for churches in the area of disability ministry, including consultancy, training, and ministry resources. Through its research arm, the Centre for Disability Ministry in Asia (CDMA), KIN produces “context-relevant research that enables disability ministry in Asia.”

Theological research in autism is an underdeveloped area of research. This MOU between CAT and KIN will allow the two centres to partner together to further study in the theology of autism and to contextualise it for an Asian context, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the belonging of persons with autism in churches in Singapore and beyond. At the same time, KIN's experience in developing practical resources will strengthen public knowledge exchange and impact activities of CAT in the UK and beyond.

Dr Léon van Ommen, Co-Director of the Centre for Autism and Theology, commented:

“The MOU between the Centre for Autism and Theology (CAT) and the Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN) is an exciting development for CAT. Launched in 2018, CAT's mission is to resource Christian communities through robust theological research. Therefore, listening to what is happening 'on the ground' is all-important for our research. KIN brings that invaluable grassroots input. Moreover, the collaboration between KIN and CAT allows for intercultural enrichment and learning from one another through our diverse contexts. This MOU will enable CAT and KIN to bring together the best of both theological research and practical engagement with the Church.”

Mr Wen Pin Leow, President of the Koinonia Inclusion Network, said:

“KIN is very pleased to collaborate with the Centre for Autism and Theology (CAT) through this MOU. Based at the University of Aberdeen, which is internationally renowned for scholarship in disability theology, the CAT comprises a dynamic group of scholars and students who are producing excellent research in autism and theology. Through this collaboration, KIN hopes to bring world-class theological scholarship to bear on the practical and pastoral issues inherent in disability ministry and missions. This is an excellent space for collaboration, and we know that this MOU will produce significant dividends for the Church and persons with autism in Singapore and Asia.”

To mark the signing of the MOU, KIN invited Dr van Ommen to deliver a keynote lecture on the inclusion of people on the autism spectrum in churches, followed by a Q&A which was moderated by Mr Leow. More than 150 Singaporean church leaders, pastoral workers, and church members attended the live event in Singapore, which took place on Saturday 2 July. The keynote can be found here.

To support the work of the Centre, please click on the link below. Funds raised will be used at the discretion of the Co-Directors, in consultation with associated staff, to subsidise public events and research activities. If sufficient funds are raised, the Centre will be able to provide research positions and doctoral scholarships for students interested in relevant research topics.  

If you would like to make a larger donation to the work of the Centre, please contact The Development Trust or email one of the Co-Directors of the Centre, Professor Grant Macaskill and Dr Léon van Ommen to discuss further details. You may be keen for us to research a particular theme, or may even want to endow a Chair in this important and pioneering area of scholarship. Our colleagues in The Development Trust will be able to discuss options and facilitate the process of giving. Potential donors based in North America may be interested in supporting our work through The University of Aberdeen Foundation. 

The logo of the Centre for Autism and Theology is based on two features of King's College at the University of Aberdeen. Firstly, the shape of the logo and the light colours around the central feature, the lamp, are reminiscent of the rose window that can be found in the Divinity Library. This library is where most Divinity and Religious Studies research seminars take place. The Centre is part of the vibrant research culture of the Divinity and Religious Studies Department. Rose windows are also often found in church buildings, which is a subtle hint to the Centre's focus on Christian communities. Moreover, rose windows are typically made up of many different parts, often colourful. The richness in display of colour, shapes, and images within many rose windows reflects the ambition of the Centre to display that richness in the work we do and the people who are and will be involved. Furthermore, the colours reflect the rich variety in which autism is expressed and the beauty of all people.

The second feature is the lamp itself, reminiscent of the quire lamps in the King's College Chapel, next to the Divinity Library. This is where daily morning prayer takes place. In reference to 'Christian' in the Centre's title (the Centre was formerly called the Centre for the Study of Autism and Christian Community), the designer wanted to represent the light that the lamp spreads, as the light of Christ. The light is refracted through the rose window, which again points to the manifold shapes and colours of autism. 

The logo was designed by Holly Russell. You can find more of her art and design work here.

Co-Directors
Professor Grant Macaskill, Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, University of Durham

Dr Léon van Ommen, Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology, University of Aberdeen

We are keen to build links with non-academic organisations and partners who may be interested in co-hosting events, both in Scotland and around the world. Please feel free to contact Professor Macaskill or Dr van Ommen if you have ideas for such events.

Impact and Public Engagement Co-Ordinator
Helena Cundill, Teaching Fellow in Practical Theology & Hope Trust Research Fellow

Associated Staff

Professor John Swinton, Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies

Professor Brian Brock, Personal Chair in Moral and Practical Theology

Dr Madge Jackson, Senior Lecturer in Psychology 

Illustrator
We are grateful to Holly Russell for designing the images on these webpages. You can find more of her work here.

The Centre is advised by an Advisory Board, that functions as a sounding board and supports the Centre's personnel, especially the co-directors, to achieve their aims. The Advisory Board strives to have a balanced representation of autistic and non-autistic members, of theological and interdisciplinary perspectives, and of academic and non-academic members, including partners from other organisations.

Current members

Dr Shannon Babbie
University of Aberdeen

Mr Stewart Rapley
National Autistic Society

Mr Wen-Pin Leow
President of Koinonia Inclusion Network, Singapore

Dr David Simmons
University of Glasgow

Ms Katherine Bale
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