Dr Catherine Crompton is a research psychologist at the Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh. Her research explores autistic communication and relationships, and she is particularly interested in communication between autistic people and how that may differ from interactions between autistic and non-autistic people. She is currently leading two projects exploring options for autistic peer support networks, one based in mainstream secondary schools for autistic young people, and the other as a post-diagnostic support option for autistic adults.

She also consults on projects linking participatory design and big data in mental health, ensuring that large scale studies include the voices of those with lived experience. She is a leader in participatory research and was awarded Autistica’s Public Engagement Award for her outstanding contribution to research with autistic community involvement. She was previously on the committee of the Scottish Autism Research Group and has co-ordinated several research, practice and community events in Scotland.