About me

My name is Elena Filipczyk (Ell-en-ah Filip-chick).

I am an autistic writer, activist, and scholar born in Australia to German migrant parents.

I write about animals, autism, disability, trauma, and grief.

Currently, I am working on a book about autistic shame.

I was headhunted for a PhD scholarship (Australian Research Council grant) and am now completing a PhD in Critical Animal Studies, Disability Studies, and Indigenous Studies at Monash University. My thesis traces power and violence across the lines of species, class, gender, race, and (dis)ability.

My work has been published by the Sydney Morning Herald, New York Post, Canberra Times, news.com.au, ABC, SBS, Hireup, and WWDA and others.

In August 2023, my essay “Pink skates, autistic limbs” was published in the Hardie Grant anthology Emergence.

I have worked as a journalist, in communications at a wildlife charity, and as a media advisor to an MP at New South Wales Parliament House.

My hyperfixation hobbies: rollerskating at the skatepark and learning to play the guitar.

I also rescue animals as a trained and licensed wildlife rescuer.