A leading Autism Advocate Anna Kennedy OBE was invited by Cherry Cheung, Senior Lecturer at London South Bank University and Professor Karin Moser, Director of Research yesterday as a keynote speaker to encourage a discussion on autism and entrepreneurship.
This was the Universities first event to highlight the great work being done by autistic entrepreneurs, researchers on entrepreneurship and paid employment.
There was a variety of speakers from academia and practice who had an array of experiences and knowledge that was shared with the audience. There was alot of opportunities for interactive discussions and networking with entrepreneurs, policy makers and academics.
Anna told us: “Topics included how autism has sometimes worked against autistic individuals as a barrier to success and achievement and how autistic people often have buckets full of strengths which have the potential to make them excellent employees.”
She added “Researchers also explore how entrepreneurship can offer an alternative to conventional employment in enabling autistic individuals to overcome structural challenges impeding their personal advancement.”
The London Centre for Business and Entrepreneurship Research at LSBU is at the forefront in the field of social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship for disadvantaged people, such as refugees or people with different abilities, for example, autism.
The day included talks by a number of successful autistic entrepreneurs, who shared their unique experiences and this was an excellent opportunity for networking with entrepreneurs, policy makers and academics.
Senior Lecturer Cherry Cheung said “Thank you Anna for giving us the truly inspiring talk full of words of encouragement, empowerment and hope. It was a huge honour to have you speaking to open our event yesterday. Dean Sarah Moore-William said that she “was moved and inspired” by Anna Kennedy’s keynote speech.”
