CoRIPS project seeking participants for investigation into autism and neurodivergence in the radiographic workforce

A CoRIPS-funded study at the University of the West of England, Bristol is calling for radiographers to respond to an anonymous census of the autistic and neurodivergent workforce.

The research hopes to identify and celebrate good workplace support for this community and make recommendations for improving practice for those members of the community experiencing bullying, discrimination, struggles or poor support.

Funded by the College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS), the research received its grant following a motion at the SoR's Annual Delegates Conference early this year. 

The CoRIPS Research Grant funds projects related to any aspect of the science and practice of radiography. Applications for this grant are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 10 applications being assessed per round. Find out more about CoRPS here. 

Ultimately, the project – run by Dr Julie Woodley, Sam Pilkington and Professor Marc Griffiths– aims to enhance recruitment and retention practices with wider recommendations for support across a range of workplaces.

It is open to all diagnostic and therapeutic radiographic practitioners, including students, assistants and radiographers of all modalities, whether NHS or not, who are formally diagnosed or self-identified as experiencing autism and/or a neurodivergent condition.

'How can we expect autistic patients to trust us'

Sam said: “If we can't take care of our own autistic and neurodivergent workforce members and community within radiography, how can we expect autistic patients to trust us to look after them in ways that are most suitable, appropriate and compassionate? 

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel like a valued, important and successful member of our workforce. Hopefully our project can provide some meaningful evidence and recommendations for support, and provide a platform to the autistic and neurodivergent experience to be meaningfully heard and acknowledged.”

Sam’s team came together with a mutual interest in responding to the August 2024 CoRIPS application round, calling for research projects investigating autism. After appraising the literature, they saw very little pertaining to neurodiversity within radiography, with the majority relating to parent/caregiver and non-autistic staff perspectives. 

“There was no literature at all which was deliberately constructed to represent a population of autistic and/or neurodiverse radiographers,” Sam explained. “We thought it would be a good opportunity to perform this kind of census aimed at capturing the autistic workforce experience.”

Complete the survey now

While no formal deadline to participate in the study has been announced, a provisional one of 31 December, 2025 will allow new student and apprentice cohorts to join the profession, whilst allowing existing members to respond after typically busy summer breaks. This will also give the researchers enough time to formulate outputs before conclusion of the project in July 2026.

The project takes the form of an online survey (approx. 20–30 mins) with an optional, fully anonymised follow-up interview via Microsoft Teams, which can be found here.

Access the survey online here.

For further information, please contact Julie Woodley, UWE Bristol, at [email protected], or Sam Pilkington, UWE Bristol, at [email protected].

Applications open in autumn for the next round of funding. Find out more information about CoRIPS online here.

(Image: Samantha Pilkington recruiting participants at UKIO 2025)