Jacqui Roberts

Professor Jacqui Roberts PhD was appointed inaugral chair of Autism in the Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Griffith University in 2011. Jacqui’s background in autism stretches back over 30 years. She has worked in Aspect schools for children with autism as a teacher, speech pathologist, principal and Director of Services. Prior to her appointment at Griffith, Jacqui worked as a consultant and held several short-term fractional research appointments at different universities teaching autism studies and leading/managing research projects and professional development.

Professor Roberts is a director of the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders providing input to the board on a national autism research agenda, and received the Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC) award for outstanding service to the autism community. In her current position as the director of the Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) Jacqui is responsible for developing the research agenda focusing on research that will enhance outcomes for individuals with autism. The ACE also offers an extensive multidisciplinary postgraduate study program in Autism comprising a graduate certificate, masters and doctoral program in autism studies and engages in consultancy with industry and government.

In 2018 second edition of Understanding Autism, The Essential Guide for Parents was published. Jacqui co-authored the book with Professor Katrina Williams. Jacqui is currently editing the upcoming Autism and Education Handbook to be published by Sage mid 2019.

Education

• PhD (Linguistics), Macquarie University
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Macquarie University
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology), University of Sydney
• Graduate Diploma of Education, Christchurch Teachers Training College
• Bachelor of Arts, Canterbury University.

Fields of Expertise

• Autism
• Education and Autism
• Communication and Autism.