Associate Professor Josephine Beatson, OAM, lecture series

Spectrum & RANZCP Vic Branch's Annual Jo Beatson Lecture Series

8 October 2026 | 4:00pm - 5:30pm AEDT | Online

In line with the patient’s values: the key to therapy success with autism and borderline personality disorder

We are delighted to announce that Robert Dudas, Affiliated Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge, will give the Jo Beatson lecture in 2026. Dr Dudas is internationally recognised for his work on autism and values-based practice in psychiatry.

He will discuss psychological approaches to autism in clinical practice. Autism frequently co-occurs with other disorders and may be unrecognised at initial presentation. Even when it is recognised, clinicians tend to be uncertain about what psychological approach to take. This lecture will address that uncertainty, offering guidance arising from Robert’s extensive experience in the field.

The Jo Beatson Lecture Series is open to clinicians, researchers, managers, and all interested professionals.

About Robert Dudas
Robert B. Dudas is Affiliated Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. His many clinical and research interests include autism, borderline personality disorder, perinatal mood disorders, dementia, values-based practice, and the medical humanities.

He has combined clinical work, academic research and teaching during his career and recently edited the important book ‘Values in Psychiatry’ to which he contributed several chapters.

Jo Beatson is a consultant psychiatrist with more than 35 years’ experience treating people with personality disorders. She has lectured, published and supervised extensively in this field and is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on BPD in Australia. 

In 2023 she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division, as well as awarded the RANZCP citation in 2020, the Vic Branch of the RANZCP Meritorious Service Award in 2017, and three Outstanding Teaching Awards for the University of Melbourne, Master of Psychological Medicine course.

The Jo Beatson Lecture is held annually in honour of Associate Professor Josephine Beatson’s significant contributions to the field of psychotherapy in Victoria and more broadly across Australia.