AutSPACEs Newsletter August 2024
=======================

Hi from AutSPACEs!

We're very excited for our next meet-up session on ther 5th September, because we've now made the AutSPACEs website live as a pilot and started collecting stories. We're going to start the session interactively and everyone will get a chance to use the platform and add stories with the support of the team!

If you can't make the session but want to take part in the platform pilot just follow the link on the [agenda and notes document](https://docs.google.com/document/d/159DllSMvIXOMOD6xe_EWPqEkUusESPGMITBAL_X7f6o/edit) and add your stories to the website and/or your feedback to the notes doc.

We'll also be celebrating all the magnificent work done by
the community, and the community itself. It's the last meet-up session being run by Georgia, so we'd also like to take a bit of time to think about how we want to preserve the community going forwards. Hope to see you there if you can make it!

**Date:**

Thursday 5th September

**Time:** 12:00-1:30pm

**Location:**     

   Online via. Zoom: https://turing-uk.zoom.us/j/523235071

**Agenda and notes:**

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YkVZYQr7T2QnDxfX61EWU-tr_Pjwl0b8ixWbZ27CiE8/edit?usp=sharing

If you want to influence the AutSPACEs strategy but can't make the session or if the meet-up format isn't for you, please feel free to add your thoughts, ideas, or questions to the notes document or email Georgia ([e-mail]) to have your perspective included in the discussion.

## AutSPACEs website is LIVE!!

We're delighted to be able to share with you the news that AutSPACEs is now live and you can share your stories and experiences. To try it out, go to:

https://autspaces-web.azurewebsites.net/!

You can register, sign in, read stories and add them yourself. The live version is a pilot to test the site rather than to gather data, until we find a long-term home for AutSPACEs after the Turing, where it can be used for research.

:heartpulse: Many thanks to all of you for creating this resource! :heartpulse:

If you have any problems, questions, or feedback you can email Georgia at [e-mail].

## Celebrating our Community

Creating AutSPACEs together has been an extraordinary journey, and as our time at The Turing comes to a close, we'd like to celebrate all of your fantastic contributions. As citizen scientists you have demonstrated the incredible range, depth, and power of participatory input, and created an amazing precedent for future inclusion. Here are just a few of the highlights:

* Co-designing the palette, style, look and feel of AutSPACEs
* Deciding together on the priorities, strategies, and values of AutSPACEs
* Pioneering a unique and bespoke moderation strategy for AutSPACEs
* Co-authoring an academic paper
* Co-presenting at multiple events including CogX, Autistica Festival, and AIUK
* Suppoting each other through hard times and with daily challanges via. the community
* Sharing, promoting, and speaking about AutSPACEs
* Collaborating on the code for the platform
* Learning and taking part using GitHub!
* Developing unique, qualitative datasets and helping to interpret and analyse them
* Co-designing AutSPACEs' research methods
* Advocating for autistic people and research by and for autistic people

You are all wonderful!

## Spotlight Interview -

Today's spotlight interview is with []. She is the community manager of The Turing Way and some of you have met her at a recent co-working call. We're really delighted to have her support bringing together communities and sharing our learning from AutSPACEs.

>### Tell us a bit about yourself
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>### What are you doing with AutSPACEs?
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>### What's your tip for how to get involved/contribute?
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### Connect with us

* [Github repository](https://github.com/alan-turing-institute/AutSPACEs)
* [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/AutSpaces)

You are also welcome to email [Georgia](mailto:[e-mail]) and we will support you to be involved or answer any questions you might have.

As always, a huge thank you is due to everyone in the community for all of your ongoing efforts and wonderful contributions. You are making a big difference in creating research which can benefit autistic people and their families.

Very best wishes,