Mel is Director of CRAE, Assistant Professor, and a Lecturer (Teaching) in Psychology at the IOE.
Mel joined CRAE as a doctoral student under the supervision of Anna Remington and Zachary Walker. She completed her PhD focusing on the diagnostic disclosure experiences of autistic adults in workplace settings.
Before coming to London, Mel worked for several years at the New York (NY) Center for Autism Charter School, where she taught autistic adolescents and young adults. Through her work as a teacher and job coach, she developed an interest in transition planning, adult support services, and employment for autistic individuals.
Recent publications:
Journal articles
- Spiegler, J., Arhin-Acquaah, K. I., Hamilton, C., Timmerman, A., Romualdez, A. M., & Pellicano, E. (2025). Autistic educators’ views and experiences of inclusion and exclusion: How workplace culture shapes belonging. Neurodiversity, 3.
https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330251406910 - Davies, J., Melinek, R., Livesey, A., Killick, E., Sam, E., Romualdez, A. M., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2024). ‘I did what I could to earn some money and be of use’: A qualitative exploration of autistic people’s journeys to career success and fulfilment. Autism, 29(4), 988–1004.
https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241292177 - Davies, J., Romualdez, A. M., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2024). Career progression for autistic people: A scoping review. Autism, 28(11), 2690–2706.
https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241236110 - Davies, J., Matthews, R., Romualdez, A. M., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2024). “Retirement Is One Hell of a Change”: Autistic People's Experiences of Retiring. Autism in Adulthood, 8(2), 162–174.
https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0155 - Davies, J., Romualdez, A. M., Malyan, D., Heasman, B., Livesey, A., Walker, A. S., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2023). Autistic Adults' Priorities for Future Autism Employment Research: Perspectives from the United Kingdom. Autism in Adulthood, 6(1), 72–85.
https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2022.0087 - Remington, A., Heasman, B., Romualdez, A. M., & Pellicano, E. (2021). Experiences of autistic and non-autistic individuals participating in a corporate internship scheme. Autism, 26(1), 201–216.
https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211025115 - Romualdez, A. M., Heasman, B., Walker, Z., Davies, J., & Remington, A. (2021). “People Might Understand Me Better”: Diagnostic Disclosure Experiences of Autistic Individuals in the Workplace. Autism in Adulthood, 3(2), 157–167.
https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0063 - Romualdez, A. M., Walker, Z., & Remington, A. (2021). Autistic adults’ experiences of diagnostic disclosure in the workplace: Decision-making and factors associated with outcomes. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 6, 23969415211022955–23969415211022955.
https://doi.org/10.1177/23969415211022955 - Romualdez, A. M., Yirrell, K., & Remington, A. (2020). Exploring Participants’ Views on a Supported Work Internship Program for Autistic and Learning Disabled Young People. International Journal of Disability Management, 15.
https://doi.org/10.1017/idm.2020.4
Preprints
- Zhang, Y. & Romualdez, A. M. (2026). “I’ve Got to Fight … Our Children Deserve to Reach Their Potential”: Parents of Autistic Children’s Experiences of Transitioning Their Child from Early Years Settings to Formal Schooling in England.
https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/cx7m9_v1 - Doyle, J. & Romualdez, A. M. (2026). Mitigating the Impact of Dysregulation on Learning Outcomes for Autistic Pupils in an Everyday Specialist School Setting.
https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/rb58m_v2 - Price, J. & Romualdez, A. M. (2024). ‘It just feels unnatural being here’: Autistic secondary school students' experiences of sensory sensitivities in the school environment.
https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/pks8t - Davies, J., Romualdez, A. M., Malyan, D., Heasman, B., Livesey, A., Walker, A., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2022). Autistic adults’ priorities for future autism employment research: Perspectives from the United Kingdom.
https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/a7wbn
Policy
Antalek, C., Castro-Kemp, S., Dixon, F., & Romualdez, A. M. (2025). Identifying and supporting the needs of autistic children and young people:a rapid evidence review. Department of Education.
Antalek, C., Castro-Kemp, S., Dixon, F., Esposito, R., Hayton, J., Herbert, E., Kamenopoulou, L., Kolak, J., Loyd, D., Roberts, A., Romualdez, A. M., Somerville, M. P., Taha, J., & Tunks, F. (2025). Cross-cutting themes in identifying, supporting and collaborating for children and young people with SEND:a rapid evidence review. Department of Education.