Hi, I’m Aimee
Associate Professor | Author | #ActuallyAutistic Researcher
Whether you’re a researcher, activist, parent, professional, or just curious about inclusive and fair approaches to health … I’m glad you’re here!
Hi, I’m Dr. Aimee Grant , a multi-award winning Associate Professor and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow based at Swansea University.
My work is rooted in a deep commitment to social justice, and for over a decade I’ve been researching pregnancy, birth and early motherhood, particularly as experienced by people who are often underserved, including those living in poverty, disabled people, Autistic people, and people living in stigmatised places.
Right now, I’m leading an exciting 8-year research project funded by the Wellcome Trust. It’s a creative, qualitative study that explores Autistic experiences across the life course, from menstruation to menopause, with the aim of sharing experiences that impact people’s quality of life but are all too often overlooked.
I’ve written two books on documentary analysis, and my latest book, The Autism Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and the Fourth Trimester, will be published by Jessica Kingsley in 2025. In 2023 I was honoured to be named one of the Disability Power 100.
About me
AS SEEN IN
A BRIEF HISTORY
Education
BSc (Econ) Criminology and Social Policy 1st Class (2006), Cardiff University
MSc Social Science Research Methods (2007), Cardiff University
PhD Social Policy (2011), Cardiff University
PGCert Autism (2024), Sheffield Hallam University
Current appointments
2025 – now: Associate Professor in Public Health and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow, Swansea University.
2024- now: Deputy Editor, Autism in Adulthood
Previous appointments
2022-25: Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow, Swansea University.
2023-25: Non-executive director, Disability Wales
2021-22: Senior Research Officer: Infant Feeding, Swansea University
2017-18: Wellcome Trust ISSF Fellow, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University
2016-17: Research Associate, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University
2013-16: Research Fellow, School of Medicine, Cardiff University
2013: University Teacher, Lifelong Learning, Cardiff University
2012-13: Senior Health Promotion Practitioner, Public Health Wales NHS Trust
2011-12: Research and Policy Officer, ASH Wales
2011: Research Assistant, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University
2011: Research Assistant, Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Glamorgan
2010: ESRC Intern, Equalities Research, Scottish Government
Selected esteem indicators
Reviewer for a broad range of funders and publishers.
Health and Care Research Wales Discover Your Role Action Plan implementation board (2025-present)
Autism CRC Award for most inclusive research practice (2024)
Sense Awards Campaigner of the Year 2024
Disability Power 100 List (2023); placed 3rd in STEM
Autistic UK – advisory panel member (2023-present)
Breastfeeding Network advisory panel member (2022-present)
Health and Care Research Wales (2021), Rising Research Star award: Highly Commended
Selected invited talks and keynotes
Maternity and Midwifery conference (2025)
International Society for Autism Research (2025)
Women’s Institute (2025)
Gold Lactation (2025)
NHS England Autism Team (2024)
Autistic Girls Network (2024)
La Leche League International (2024)
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (2024)
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (2023)
Teaching
Undergraduate and postgraduate research supervisor; 2 PhD completions to date, 2 current students.
External examiner for doctoral (PhD, DPsych) dissertations
Module convenor and lecturer in public health, health care accessibility and social research methods.
Let’s Connect
Whether you're working in research, activism, policy, or practice, I’d love to hear from you!
I’m especially keen to build community around:
Social justice for Autistic people
Lived experiences of maternity and reproductive health
Creative, qualitative research methods
I’m based in Cardiff, Wales, but my collaborations span the UK and beyond.
You can also follow my work and updates on Bluesky, LinkedIn, Research Gate, Google Scholar, and ORCID.