@kyleighmelville
ESRC-funded PhD Candidate, University of Edinburgh • Neurodiversity, Multi-Sensory Environments, Participatory Methods • Media and Comms Officer @salvesenresearch.bsky.social •🇨🇦🏳️🌈• Bookworm, Tea Addict, Amateur Knitter & Singer-Songwriter ✨
🔔Fully-funded ESRC PhD studentship opportunity at The University of Edinburgh!
Supervised by @katiecebula.bsky.social, Dr Michael Fleming and Patricio Troncoso + in collaboration with Mindroom and Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentship/...
ALT TEXT: Poster shows the logo for the British Psychological Society and a line drawing of three children throwing a ball. Two of the children have prosthetic limbs. The poster text reads: Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture. A series of three seminars based at Queen Margaret University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Cambridge. Join us for seminar 2: Books and Reading. Explore how disability and neurodivergent representation in books can support anti-ableist practice and challenge ableism. 21 April 2026. 1300 – 1630 BST. Hybrid – MS Teams and On Campus at University of Strathclyde, G1 1XQ. For questions and more information, email: charlotte.webber@strath.ac.uk Free to attend. Register by 17-04-2026 Submit an abstract by 20-03-2026: https://forms.office.com/e/gh4S7FUfdF Register to attend online or in-person at Strathclyde: https://edin.ac/4aU9DtL
Seminar 2 of the @bpsofficial.bsky.social-funded "Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture" series. "Books and Reading" : Disability and Neurodivergent representation in children's books.
Hosted by SMRC Director @katiecebula.bsky.social and Dr Charlotte Webber.
I have a new article published today! Written with my fellow OCD-ist. Accepted a couple of years ago, the piece envisions theoretical directions for critical OCD studies through approaching order/control through a social and experiential lens.
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...
To all my fellow Canadians, both at home and across the pond, I encourage you to sign this petition from the House of Commons.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Many of my loved ones are living where 🧊 is running rampant and signing a petition is the least I can do. Please share widely 🍁
Graphic 1 out of 6. The title of the chapter is "Autistic Advocacy: Past, Present and Future Directions". This chapter was authored by Dr Gabor Petri and PhD Researcher George Watts. This chapter was published in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability. There is a rainbow-coloured wave image behind the text, and a picture of five hands holding coloured signs underneath the authors' names. The SMRC's logo is on the top left hand corner of each graphic. A graphic of a research paper is on the top right hand corner of each graphic.
Graphic 2 out of 6. This slide shows the purpose and researcher's positionality and the key terms of autistic advocacy and autism advocacy. Beside each point is a picture. Picture number 1 is a woman holding a megaphone. Picture number 2 is two circles with the flags of Hungary and Great Britain to demonstrate the researcher's positionality. Picture number 3 is a rainbow infinity symbol and Picture number 4 is a three people, one is holding a megaphone.
Graphic 3 out of 6. This slide is titled "How Did We Get Here?" with three points about the inception of the disability rights movement from the 1980s. There is a banner with the words "Nothing About Us Without Us" on the bottom right, there is a picture of a blue megaphone on the bottom left.
We are showcasing a published chapter by Dr @petrigoh.bsky.social (CEU Democracy Institute) and @autgeek.bsky.social (SMRC PhD Researcher, @durham.ac.uk) in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability.
"Autistic Advocacy: Past, Present and Future Directions."
Graphic 1 out of 7. The title of the paper is "Information transfer within and between autistic and non-autistic people". This is paper was authored by a team of researchers: Crompton, Foster, Wilks, Dodd, Efthimiou, Ropar, Sasson, Lages and Fletcher-Watson. The SMRC's logo is on the top left hand corner of each graphic. A graphic of a research paper is on the top right hand corner of each graphic.
Graphic 2 out of 7. The study's purpose and an explanation of what a diffusion chain is. This study is a replication and extension of a study the team conducted in 2020. There are blue and orange squares to represent how participants were grouped for this study: all blue for autistic, all orange for non-autistic, and a mix of blue and orange squares to represent a mixed group.
Graphic 3 out of 7. Key findings from the 2020 study and what this study wanted to find out. There are semi-transparent orange and blue circles behind the text to simulate different people talking to one another.
We are showcasing a published paper by @cjcrompton.bsky.social et al. (2025), which explored information transfer in autistic, non-autistic, and mixed-neurotype chains in 311 individuals. This study is a replication and extension of the team's diffusion chain study in 2020.
"Building Anti-Ableism Through Representation in Children’s Material Culture", a 3-part seminar series funded by @bpsofficial.bsky.social and hosted across @qmuniversity.bsky.social, @unistrathclyde.bsky.social,and @cam.ac.uk.
Seminar 1 "Toys and Play": QMU, Feb 26 1pm - 4:30pm GMT
Graphic 1 out of 5. The title of the paper is "I love it ... I love that story": The perspectives of children with Down syndrome and their mothers on reading experiences at home. This paper was authored by Dr Katie Cebula and Professor Sarah McGeown. A multi-coloured graphic of books and polkadots decorates the centre bottom. The SMRC's logo is on the top left hand corner of each graphic. A graphic of a research paper is on the right hand corner of each graphic.
Graphic 2 out of 5. The study's purpose, information about the people who participated, and how their data was analysed. Three colourful graphics of people are on the right hand side of each information point.
Graphic 3 out of 5. The key findings from the study. Three colourful graphics are on the right hand side of each information point.
We are showcasing a recently published paper by @katiecebula.bsky.social and @profsarahmcg.bsky.social, which qualitatively explored home reading practices of mothers and their children with Down syndrome. Mothers shared experiences via semi-structured interviews, children via 'book tours'.
Introductory graphic with a multi-coloured swirl in the centre. The SMRC's logo is in the top left hand corner of the graphic. There is a black arrow on the bottom right hand corner.
Graphic 2 of 3. There is a multi-coloured swirl in the centre, and there is a description of what the SMRC does overlaid on top of the swirl.
Graphic 3 of 3. There is a QR code for viewers to join the centre's mailing list and the centre's website centred on the graphic.
Welcome to the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre (SMRC) BlueSky account! Led by @katiecebula.bsky.social, and in productive partnership with the charity Mindroom, the SMRC creates new knowledge about neurodiversity, learning, and development. Follow us for research updates and events!
America is in dangerous territory.
The combination of a masked federal paramilitary force being used against civilians, the intentional spread of extremist ideology, and the censorship and use of “science” by the state to harm specific groups of people has never ended well.
#ScientistsAgainstICE
“It isn’t people seeking sanctuary who are tearing our country apart. It’s toxic, racist narratives and the scapegoating of migrants for crises they did not cause.”
Carla Denyer challenges the Home Secretary's new immigration reforms saying they just fuel far-right narratives.
Can't wait to present tomorrow morning at nasen's Support for Learning online conference! I will be sharing findings from my mixed-methods study on school staff experiences using multi-sensory environments with neurodivergent students 🌈
Free for all to attend!
nasen.org.uk/events/sfl-o...
Survey closing at midnight ! 🕛
Important every day, but today feels like a particularly good day for sharing neuro-affirming educational films about autistic experiences.
Happy Thursday E-DLD followers! Today we are introducing one of our ECR Research Associates!
Kyleigh’s social media handles:
Instagram: @kylovestudying
BlueSky: @kyleighmelville.bsky.social
X: @MelvilleKyleigh
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kyleighmelville
#devlangdis #DLD #ECR #researchassociate
My wonderful supervisor @katiecebula.bsky.social is running a Sibling Cafe for care experienced adults and supporters of care experienced individuals 🌱 Come along for a cosy chat with coffee/tea, and Tunnocks ☕️ 🍰
Friday 5th Sep 2-4 PM @ University of Edinburgh
Recruitment poster for an online survey. The poster is asking for participation from school-based staff who work with neurodivergent students and use sensory rooms or therapy gardens. The poster is a light blue gradient colour and has an orange circle in the middle with two graphics of an occupational therapist and a child playing in a sensory room. The study is being conducted by a researcher based at the University of Edinburgh.
Still recruiting participants for my online survey on experiences of using sensory rooms with neurodivergent / SEN / ASN students !
Especially keen to hear from school-based therapists 🎨
edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Fabulous research by Wassell (2025) about the importance of Autistic Joy & monotropism!
"Autistic voices suggest that the key barrier to
joyful experience is not autism itself but other
people's lack of acceptance of authentic
autistic behaviours such as stimming and
pursuit of special interests."
It's time for a new kind of political party - one that belongs to you.
Sign up at yourparty.uk.
A sensory room with light blue walls, fish and bubble stickers, bean bags, a white bag of fidget toys and plushies, a book box and foam panels on the walls and floor.
📢 Recruiting participants for my PhD study!
🟢 Do you work in a school in the UK?
🟢 Do you work with neurodivergent and/or SEND or ASN students?
🟢 Does your school have a sensory room or therapy garden ?
Chance to win a £50 voucher for your school!
edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
We refuse to let co-production be co-opted. It is a complicated and unique process that involves the centring of Disabled voices and experiences - not as a tick box exercise, but making our experiences central to decision making.
Some food for thought this #CoProWeek2025
Spent Canada Day recording my first podcast w/ Dr Hope Christie & Tooled Up Education on my research on multi-sensory environments, LEGO-Based Therapy and how my experience of teaching neurodivergent students inspired my research journey 🌈 Free to listen!
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
I had such a wonderful time at #NDAS2025 sharing my PhD work-in-progress with fellow researchers at @citystgeorges.bsky.social. There is so much excellent work going on in the realm neurodevelopmental psychology 🧠 Can’t wait for NDAS 2026 in Durham ✨
Still can’t believe it … I’m engaged ! ✨
📢 Still recruiting UK school staff who work with neurodivergent, SEND and ASN students and use multi-sensory environments. The survey’s designed with the support of a Lived Experience Advisory Group and there’s a prize draw to win a £50 voucher ! ⭐️
edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
![Poster reads:
Parents of autistic children ages 5-12 years.
The University of Edinburgh
Sibling Play Study
Compensation of £30 voucher per family
Join us to better understand how parents support sibling interactions for autistic children.
This study involves a home visit and an interview.
If you are interested and would like more information scan the QR code below to register interest.
[Note - QR code links to: https://edin.ac/4mWJsrw ]
Contact: Matthew Klein v1mklei2@ed.ac.uk
The University of Edinburgh
Moray House School of Education and Sport](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lxmqd74p3rhubqsyw5bfmmns/bafkreiecrc2fdvcyxw7obrgynb63pcgi3o2gkdvxbw3pkw7yocrhjf6ptq)
Poster reads: Parents of autistic children ages 5-12 years. The University of Edinburgh Sibling Play Study Compensation of £30 voucher per family Join us to better understand how parents support sibling interactions for autistic children. This study involves a home visit and an interview. If you are interested and would like more information scan the QR code below to register interest. [Note - QR code links to: https://edin.ac/4mWJsrw ] Contact: Matthew Klein v1mklei2@ed.ac.uk The University of Edinburgh Moray House School of Education and Sport
Are you:
⭐the parent of an autistic child and their neurotypical sibling (both 5 - 12 years & within 5 years of each other)?
⭐in Scotland?
We are recruiting for a study looking at how parents support autistic children and their siblings to play together. More info/register interest: edin.ac/4mWJsrw
Happy Pride Month #cat #pride #pridemonth 🏳🌈
🚨Write to your MP to support the cross-party motion against benefit cuts!
We are supporting Sian Berry MP's Early Day Motion calling on the Government to stop scapegoating Disabled people.
✍️Write to your MP and tell them to support EDM 949!
Learn more 👇 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/cross-p...
a new substack essay about writing for the fan-made lesbian dating sim #heygirliegame (set in the world of dimension 20’s fantasy high), the parasocial tendencies of readers, and why i’ll never use chatgpt.
open.substack.com/pub/feidong/...
Photo shows 3 Yorkshire teabags, 2 Tunnocks caramel wafers, and 2 Sibling Cafe information sheets.
If you a care experienced adult (16+ years) in Scotland OR the supporter of a care experienced child/adult in Scotland (e.g. foster parent) join us online on Fri 30th May to talk about how sib relationships of care experienced people could be better supported.
Sign up and more info: edin.ac/4cIYdcs
