Dr Jac den Houting (they/them) is a research psychologist and autistic activist working in pursuit of social justice. Jac is committed to creating real-world change that benefits autistic people, in the areas that matter most to the autistic community. Jac believes that autism research can be most meaningful and impactful when it is conducted by and with the people it is intended to serve – autistic people.  

Jac trained as a psychologist in Brisbane, Australia, where they also completed their PhD through Griffith University’s Autism Centre of Excellence. Currently, Jac is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Macquarie University in Sydney, where they investigate structural and systemic inequities in autism research. Prior to their research career, Jac gained 10 years’ experience as a psychologist in the criminal justice system.

Jac is a Deputy Editor for the journal Autism in Adulthood, a member of the Aspect Advisory Council, and was a founding member of the INSAR Autistic Researchers Committee. Alongside their research career, Jac is a strong advocate for the autistic community, and served for 7 years on the Board of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand. In late 2019, Jac made their TEDx debut with a viral talk that has attracted more than 1 million views to date. Jac is proudly neurodivergent and queer, and shares their life with their equally-neurodivergent partner; an enthusiastic Labrador; a Deaf rescue cat; and a disgruntled bearded dragon.