I am the Chief Executive at Encephalitis International - an international non-profit whose aim is to improve the life of all people affected, directly and indirectly, by Encephalitis. I am also a researcher and global expert on encephalitis patient outcomes and quality of life and I speak at conferences and lecture around the world on the condition and its impact for patients and their families.I am the author of "Life After Encephalitis" www.encephalitis.info/LifeAfterEncephalitis. To read The Lancet Neurology review of the book click the link below or copy and paste this link into your browser:https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(16)30091-6/fulltext I also run a private consultancy to the charitable sector www.avaeaston.com I am involved in a number of research studies looking into the processes and outcomes of encephalitis and am an Honorary Fellow in the Dept. of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Liverpool; Member of the Global Neuro Research Coalition: Member, Steering Committee, COVID_CNS [The COVID-Clinical Neuroscience Study]; and Patient and Public Engagement Lead; Co-Investigator and Chair of the Patient and Public Involvement Panel – COVIDNeuro Global Study; Chair, Patient and Public Involvement Panel and Steering Committee Member - The Global Health Research Group on Brain Infections; Public Health England; Ambassador for the European Brain Injury Council I also act as a consultant to various Media (Radio and Television) on encephalitis and acquired brain injury. Most recently with ITN Productions and the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on a Global Health documentary with Natasha Kaplinsky; Hollyoaks, a UK TV show, for a long-running storyline on encephalitis; Consultancy on three episodes of UK drama Doctors; and on the documentaries The Kids with no memory (UK) and Wiped Clean (Australia). Theatre consultancy has included Off The Wall Theatre Company; and Derby Live Productions.Specialties: encephalitis; non-profit management; health sciences; neuro-narratives; narrative medicine, patient and public engagement. I was invited by The Queen to her Diamond Jubilee Garden Party at Buckingham Palace (2012) in recognition of my work in encephalitis and also received an award in 2018 from the Queen’s High Sheriff of North Yorkshire for my work on encephalitis.Follow me on Twitter: @encephalitisava