• Research Project: neurodivergent identity among Tik Tok users in Australia

    This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committe. Approval Number: HREC/HREC-2/2026/1046 (v5) 

  • This study is seeking participants who:

    • Are over 18
    • Speak conversational English
    • Live in Australia or (if you live overseas) identify as Australian
    • Use Tik Tok at least once a month or more to create, search, or view content related to neurodivergence or neurodiversity  -- This can include content you see on your ‘FYP’, even if you didn’t look for it specifically. You do not have to make your own Tik Tok content.
    • Identify as Neurodivergent  --  Formal diagnosis of any particular medical label (for example ASD, ADHD, or Dyslexia) is not required. Individuals who are self-diagnosed, undiagnosed, or have a lesser-known form of neurological difference are encouraged to participate. If you identify with the the label ‘neurodivergent’ you are eligble to participate, regardless of the form your neurodivergence takes.

  • If this sounds like you, you are warmly invited to take part in a friendly and private interview, discussing topics such as:

    What does the term ‘neurodivergent’ mean to you? What does it mean to be a neurodivergent Australian? How does social media affect the way we understand and talk about neurodiversity?

     

    Interviews may be conducted either in person or online, depending on your loction and preference, and will take around an hour. Your responses will be anonymous, and will help researchers understand more about what it means to be neurodivergent in a changing social world. 

    To express your interest, email aislinn.rossi@adelaide.edu.au or use the contact form below.

  • Contact form

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  • Please note: Sending an expression of interest does not mean you have to commit to taking part in the research. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. 

  • More information

  • This research is being conducted by Aislinn Rossi, a PhD Candidate at Adelaide University: aislinn.rossi@adelaide.edu.au

    The project's principal supervisor is also available to respond to queries or concerns: kim.barbour@adelaide.edu.au

    More information is available for volunteers on the participant information sheet.

  • About this research:

  • The research team work in Adelaide University’s School of Communications, Media, and Journalism.

    This research forms part of the requirement for Aislinn Rossi's Doctorate in Philosophy, under the supervision of Dr Kim Barbour and Dr Aaron Humphrey. 

    Aislinn’s thesis examines how neurodivergence has been understood within different historical contexts, and how social media platforms such as Tik Tok have influenced our understanding of neurodiversity. Aislinn is committed to participatory research that ensures communities can tell their own stories. She also understands that every neurodivergent person is different, and so are their own understandings of what ‘neurodivergence’ is. By speaking to neurodivergent people directly, she hopes to learn more about how different kinds of people find information, look for community, and talk about their experiences both on social media and offline.

    If you have any questions about Aislinn’s research (even if you don’t want to volunteer as a participant), feel free to get in touch with her by email.

  • This research project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committe. Approval Number: HREC/HREC-2/2026/1046 (v5) 

    For general enquiries, contact the researcher by email at aislinn.rossi@adelaide.edu.au

    The project supervisor, Dr. Kim Barbour, is also available to respond to any queries and concerns: kim.barbour@adelaide.edu.au

     

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