Overview
Profile summary
Becky is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Studies with a specialism in Developmental Psychology and Autism. She developed and led the Post-Graduate Cerificate in Education: Autism, and leads the Inclusion Research Node.
Becky leads a national research programme exploring support and intervention for families with complex problems. She is currently lead investigator for a national randomised controlled trial evaluating the SAFE Family Therapy Intervention (Systemic Autism-related Family Enabling) funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
She collaborates with the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit, colleagues from several universities working in Health, Education and Psychology, alongside NHS trusts across the UK, to improve care for families of autistic children and inform national agendas related to education and care for families with complex needs.
Teaching interests
Early Childhood
Systemic Family Therapy
SEND
Developmental Psychology
Autism and Related Conditions
Academic qualifications
PhD Conditional reasoning in autism spectrum disorder: activation and integration of knowledge and belief, University of Plymouth
… → 2010
BSc Psychology, The Open University
… → 2005
MA Fine Art, De Montfort University
… → 1999
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Early Years
… → 1993
BA Anthropology and Visual Studies
… → 1987
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
-
SDG 4 Quality Education
-
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
-
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Implementation study
Stancer, B. (PI - Principal Investigator), Dallos, R. (PI - Principal Investigator) & Holmes, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
20/01/25 → …
Project: Other
-
Project to advance expertise of Systemic Practitioners in Attachment based interventions
Stancer, B. (PI - Principal Investigator), Dallos, R. (PI - Principal Investigator) & Holmes, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
17/02/22 → 5/06/24
Project: Research
-
SAFE Knowledge Exchange supporting workforce development in Psychotherapy
Stancer, B. (PI - Principal Investigator), Dallos, R. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Rajkovic, A. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
4/10/24 → …
Project: Other
-
A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of SAFE, an intervention for families of autistic children
Stancer, B. (PI - Principal Investigator), Vassallo, T. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Thompson, T. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Allgar, V. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Georgeson, J. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
NHS National Institute for Health Research
1/10/25 → 31/08/29
Project: Research
-
Policy Brief for All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Autism: National Implementation of Systemic Family Therapy for Autism
Stancer, B., 2026, (Submitted)Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
File4 Downloads (Pure) -
SAFE practice guidance and brief manual revised
Stancer, B. & Dallos, R., 2026, University of Plymouth.Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Comparing autism-related abilities and symptom severity across educational settings: a study of Turkish and English schools.
YAZICI, M. S. & Stancer, B., 23 Nov 2025, In: International Journal of Inclusive Education. p. 1 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
The Meaning of the Child in Families Living with a Child Diagnosed with Autism: Security, Exploration and Therapy.
Stancer, B., Dallos, R. & Grey, B., 24 Dec 2025, The Meaning of the Child Interview: How to Understand Parent-Child Relationships and Plan Intervention from how Parents Talk about their Children . Grey, B. (ed.). Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan (Palgrave texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy Series)Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
-
Covid stories: A narrative exploration of experiences of the pandemic among members of an academic research group
Stancer, B., Georgeson, J., Bagchi, S., Myhill, C., Gulliver, K., Vassallo, T., Andrews, M., TUMKAYA, G. S., Southall, V. & Merk, R., 22 Apr 2024, In: Human Systems: Therapy, Culture and Attachments. 4, 3, p. 142-162 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile23 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
- 9 Attending external event or training
-
Ambitious about Autism, Right from the Start Conference
Stancer, B. (Participant)
2020Activity: Event organisation or participation › Attending external event or training
-
Constructivist Psychotherapy Conference, Serbia.
Stancer, B. (Participant)
2026Activity: Event organisation or participation › Attending external event or training
-
National Autism Practitioner Network Conference, Kings College London: Psychological Therapies to treat co-occurring mental health conditions in autistic people across the lifespan
Stancer, B. (Participant)
21 Oct 2025Activity: Event organisation or participation › Attending external event or training
-
11th Conference of the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA)
Stancer, B. (Participant)
2022Activity: Event organisation or participation › Attending external event or training
-
Westminster Education Forum: Next steps for SEND Provision in England
Stancer, B. (Participant)
2024Activity: Event organisation or participation › Attending external event or training
Media stories
-
A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of SAFE
1/10/24
1 Media contribution
Media story
-
-
A toolkit for everyday life for families of autistic children
15/03/18
1 Media contribution
Media story
-
Theses
-
Conditional reasoning in autism spectrum disorder: activation and integration of knowledge and belief.
Stancer, B. (Author), Handley, S. (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)) & Evans, J. (Other Supervisor), 2010Student thesis: PhD
File