The Centre for Practice, Policy and Research

This is our hub where ideas, experience and action come together – a space for sharing knowledge, learning from lived experience, and working alongside others to create meaningful change.

We believe that real change can be achieved when day-to-day practice, public policy, and research all inform one another. This always begins with the lived experience of autistic people and their families, and reflects the priorities of our community.  By connecting these areas, we can influence real improvements to support and promote the rights of autistic people and their families.

Image is of two people at a musical theatre group together with a script in hands, the person with dark hair is smiling to the other

Led by autistic voices

The Centre is at the heart of Scottish Autism’s wider focus on autistic voice and participation. With meaningful inclusion of autistic people in decision making at all levels within Scottish Autism, we are ensuring our organisation is led by the priorities and aspirations of the people we support and serve.

Find out more

Get in touch

To find out more, or to discuss a potential collaborative project, email CPI@scottishautism.org or call 01259 720044.

What we are working on together:

  • Facilitating greater autistic involvement in research, policy and practice development.
  • Continually improving  our own services, supported by our Practice Development Team and nurturing reflective practice through our Autism Practice Improvement Programme.
  • Capturing and sharing innovative practice through internal forums and our colleague conference.
  • Leading a programme of participatory research that informs real-world support.
  • Building collaborative research partnerships with universities, third sector partners and Autistic People’s organisations.
  • Drawing on the insights of lived experience, research, and our experience providing supporte to campaign for better public policy and service provision.
  • Hosting collaborative projects, Knowledge Share events and conferences to learn together and share good practice
  • Sharing our work through reports, research publications, and Share Magazine.
  • Taking part in external networks and events to share our learning and learn from others.

Relaunched and refocused

Launched in January 2025, the Centre builds on the work of the previous Centre for Practice Innovation, and is led by Dr. Joe Long.

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