Anya Ovcharenko

With a background in Intercultural Communications, and Social Theory, Anya Ovcharenko is an ESRC-funded PhD candidate in Sociology. Her research interests include migration, neurodiversity, and the themes of home and belonging. Anya has volunteered and conducted fieldwork with Ukrainian refugees in Devon and London, exploring how the concept of home is constructed amidst displacement.

Anya's current research explores the complexities and entanglements of migration and autism, focusing on how bureaucratic categories affect the past, present, and future of autistic migrants in the UK. She aims to understand the intricate ways in which social structures and personal identities intersect, shaping the human experience in multifaceted and often challenging ways.

In addition to her research, Anya co-leads a monthly Neurodiversity reading group at Egenis, Centre for the Study of Life Sciences. This group fosters a space for critical discussions and knowledge exchange on topics related to neurodiversity, furthering her commitment to creating inclusive and supportive academic environments. Through her work, Anya seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of marginalised communities, emphasising the importance of empathy, equity, and social justice in both academic and social contexts.