Esteemed Congratulations to Ellie McKeown – Thouron Scholar Award Recipient!

Congratulations to Ellie McKeown, a Brodkin Lab Research Assistant, who has recently been awarded a prestigious Thouron Scholarship, based on their work in autism research. — Each Thouron Awardee is provided support for up to two years of further study in the U.K. ASPE is honored to celebrate this incredible accomplishment by Ellie! 

Ellie, who identifies as an autistic self-advocate, has worked in the Brodkin Lab as a Research Assistant since 2022, specifically on the TUNE In Clinical Trial. TUNE In (Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions) is a cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based program for autistic adults. Ellie plays a key role in the development of this interactive course aimed at helping participants feel more comfortable and confident when interacting with others. 

Ellie is a triple-major in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies with a concentration in health and disability; in biology; and in English. Now in their final semester of their undergraduate studies, Ellie is interested in further studying autism in a sociological context, focusing on broadening autism research to better reflect the community it represents. As a Thouron Scholar, Ellie plans to pursue a master’s degree (MSc) in social research at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. 

Ellie is one of the founders and co-leaders of Advocates for Neurodiversity and a member of NeuroQueer at Penn, two new student groups. They also have been a consultant and organized autism and disability advocacy workshops for Penn, Temple University, and Drexel University. As if that weren’t impressive enough, Ellie is also an archival assistant in the Rare Book Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia, as well as are a board member of Stimulus Children’s Theater. 

Well done on your impressive recognition, Ellie!