Heather Brown, PhD, associate professor in Education at the University of Alberta and autistic researcher, is dedicated to supporting the learning and wellbeing of neurodivergent youth and adults.
An alumna of the Autism Research Training (ART) Program – CanNRT’s predecessor – Brown calls CanNRT a game changer in her career.
Today, Brown leads the Autism, Neurodiversity and Academic Achievement (AIDAN) Lab, where she and her team work closely with communities to build research that empowers neurodivergent people and strengthens self-confidence and belonging in daily life.
How are you involved in CanNRT?
Brown: I’m actively involved in CanNRT in several capacities.
I serve on the Curriculum Co-Design Committee, and I act as a faculty mentor, supporting early career researchers in navigating neurotechnology research and knowledge mobilization.
Additionally, I serve on the application review committee, where I contribute to the selection of new trainees who align with CanNRT’s mission.
How has your experience with CanNRT shaped your work?
Brown: My involvement with CanNRT has meaningfully shaped both my research and professional collaborations.
First, it was through CanNRT that I was introduced to experience-based co-design (EBCD), a methodology that has since become central to several of my large-scale participatory research projects. I’ve found EBCD to be both insightful and deeply rewarding.
Second, networking opportunities have been exceptional. Noémie Cusson, who led the EBCD workshop, is now my co-author on an edited book chapter for Dr. Stéphanie Fecteau, another CanNRT member who also served as an external examiner for my MEd student. CanNRT has provided me with both invaluable tools and connections.
How does your work advance neurodevelopmental research?
Brown: My research program adopts a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach that centers on autistic voices and lived experiences.
I explore how autistic people experience learning, inclusion, and belonging, especially in K–12 and post-secondary education, through participatory, mixed-methods research.
My work focuses on:
- reimagining how we support autistic writers by integrating writing research and neurodiversity theory;
- investigating campus belonging and accessibility through co-designed studies with autistic students; and
- developing and evaluating neuro-affirming professional learning initiatives for educators.
Across all areas, I collaborate closely with autistic students, educators, and community partners to co-create more inclusive, affirming educational environments.
What advice do you have for early career researchers?
Brown: CanNRT and its predecessor, the ART Program, have been pivotal to my career.
The professors I met as a grad student helped me secure my current role at UAlberta, and I continue to collaborate with fellow trainees and mentors.
My advice: be proactive in building connections with peers and faculty. Embrace co-design, community engagement, and inclusive research practices. These relationships can deepen your understanding, challenge your assumptions, and expand the impact of your work.
Staying connected
Brown’s story is a reminder that transformative research starts with listening—to lived experience, to collaborators, and to the communities we aim to serve.
If you are interested in learning more about Brown’s work at the AIDAN Lab and beyond, connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky or Instagram.
Interested in the CanNRT Fellowship? Visit our webpage to learn more.