Lifetime Achievement Award for Lecturer Luke

23rd February 2015

Dr Luke Beardon from Sheffield Hallam University's Autism Centre has been shortlisted for a national award in recognition of the impact his pioneering research and teaching has had on the public's understanding of autism over the past 20 years.

Luke is one of three individuals selected as a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement category in The National Autistic Society's (NAS) Autism Professionals Awards 2015, sponsored by Axcis Education Recruitment. The annual event, which first took place in 2013, recognises and rewards services and professionals that lead the way in innovative autism practice and make a real difference to the lives of people with autism in the UK. Luke has written about his experiences of autism studies in The Yorkshire Post this week. Luke has been working in the field of autism and Asperger syndrome for around 20 years, as a lecturer, supervisor, and advisor, as well as a practitioner providing support and consultancy to professionals working with people with the condition. He is renowned for his innovative person-centred approach to understanding autism and currently lectures as part of The Autism Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. His research has been widely published and had a significant impact on the way autism is understood today. Luke was nominated by a number of people, including Kate Mahon, a PhD student at the university. She said: "Luke's energy, enthusiasm and commitment is second to none. He has profound understanding of autism and is an inspiring lecturer and teacher who challenges people's fundamental perception of what autism is. I have seen him change people's lives, turning despair and confusion into acceptance and celebration.  He fully deserves this nomination." Luke said: "I am absolutely delighted, honoured and humbled by the nomination. To work in this field is a privilege in itself; to be shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement Award is an unexpected bonus. "I am hugely grateful to those who nominated me and whatever the outcome will continue to strive towards changing the lives of people with autism and their families for the better in whatever way I can" Luke was shortlisted by a panel of 11 autism experts who judged them on their innovation, creativity, impact and sustainability. Carol Povey, Director of the National Autistic Society's Centre for Autism, said: "The autism community gets together once a year to recognise individuals and services, like Luke, doing ground-breaking work in the field of autism and improving the lives of people with the disability. "The calibre, variety and sheer number of nominations we received is astounding and Luke has done remarkably well to stand out. We hope his achievement will inspire others to go that extra mile to improve the lives of people with autism across the UK." Luke is joined by two other nominees in the Lifetime Achievement Award category: Dr Jacqui Ashton-Smith, Executive Director of Education at the National Autistic Society and Jim Taylor, an independent autism consultant. The winner will be revealed at the NAS' Professional Conference on 3 March in Harrogate. There are 13 awards in total, including four celebrating individual professional achievement and nine recognising good practice by teams or organisations.