My name is Martine Mussies (pronunciation) and I am an artistic researcher & autistic academic. The drawing above is one of my avatars (which I do not resemble much, although it was partly based on this video) Welcome / Välkommen / Witaj / Добро пожаловать / ようこそ ! As a PhD student at the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands, I am writing my thesis about the Cyborg Mermaid, or to be more concrete: about the way modern media empower people to create new stories based on mermaid mythology. What fascinates me most about the study of fantastic beings is that the way in which we shape them tells us so much about what it means to be human. Besides my research, I am a musician, I do …

artistic researcher & autistic academic Read more »

With the August 2022 update of this website, I decided to add some more information about my shop and some examples of my services. What can I do for you? If you like my work and you want to support me. If you think we fit together. If you want to work together professionally… then feel free to explore the options below. Guestblogging & other writing services In addition to my academic work, I enjoy writing thought-provoking blogs and articles for more popular media, such as magazines and websites. My keywords are autism, films & series, (neuro)psychology, mermaids, martial arts and music. I also like to write about museums, language and travel. Let me know if you could use a guest writer. Record cello lines for your …

Services: What can I do for You Read more »

Growing up, I did not even know bisexuality existed, let alone know anyone who was bisexual. Consequently, I often felt that I had to make a choice: did I fancy boys, or did I fancy girls?

A while ago, I received a postcard of a beautiful Japanese art print. On the backside, someone had written a joke about “fighting like a girl” and concluded with the words “Thank you for being a strong woman in our dojo.” I was happy and touched by this act of kindness. But I also felt a bit puzzled. Being a “strong woman” – or any person, for that matter – when you have autism… is that even possible? In this blog post for the website Art of Autism, I explore this question through the lens of neuropsychology.

In April 2020, when the Netherlands just entered into a “smart” lockdown, I wrote the following blog for the Art of Autism website. It offers an autistic perspective on staying at home, and now that we seem to be opening up again, it also serves as a reminder to myself, to create a “new normal” with all I enjoyed during the lockdown. Of course, my experience of lockdown was a very privileged one, on many levels. Still, I hope to contribute by sharing my story.

Last week was a regular and normal week for me. I had my rehearsals, my work at the library, my trainings, a meeting for the Phd. I went out with friends, had a party where I shared glasses and cutlery, grappled with my senpai & kohai, hugged with sensei. But we live in a different world now. A world in which we are told to “maintain social distancing” to “flatten the curve”. This change of routine is unpleasant for me, as I am attached to my schedule, my structure. But being at home is no problem at all, on the contrary, my home is my castle, an Aspergirls’ Paradise. My experience of lockdown is a very privileged one and I am aware of it. Still, I hope …

Things to do @ home alone Read more »