11-12 Beaumont St
Oxford OX1 2LW
UK
Research suggests that autism and scientific and mathematical talents are linked. Scientists and mathematicians score higher in terms of autistic traits and have higher rates of autism, compared to the wider general population. This new research raises profound ethical issues: should we continue to refer to autism as a ‘disease’ or ‘disorder’, or is the framework of ‘neurodiversity’ a more humane and accurate lens through which to view people with autism?
This year’s Simonyi Lecturer is Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology, Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge and Director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge.
He will be introduced by Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford.