Lyndel Kennedy recently completed her PhD at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), supervised by Emeritus Professor Amanda Richdale and Dr Lauren Lawson. She now leads a research project to co-design and evaluate a neurodiversity-affirming training package for supervisors of graduate researchers, funded by the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) and OTARC. 

Lyndel Kennedy's PhD examined higher-education success factors and the experiences of neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent students across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand using mixed methods, and found differences in mental health, disclosure, and support experiences. Her research shows higher-education outcomes depend more on study-related skills than on neurodivergent traits, advancing understanding of how best to support student success.

In 2020, she cofounded CANDID, a peer support network for La Trobe University students with neurodivergencies and/or disabilities with fellow PhD student, now Dr Laena D'Alton. She also facilitates the Autism Valued (AV) Young Adults group. She has been active in the running of AV since 2008, having held a wide range of positions including President and Vice President. 

Lyndel has delivered presentations on Neurodiversity, Autism and ADHD at international, national, state and local conferences, as well as for schools and parenting groups. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, the Institute of Professional Editors, the Australasian Society for Autism Research, the International Society for Autism Research, the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association and is a committee member of the Australian Psychological Society's Psychology of Intellectual Disability and Autism interest group. With the PhD Pod team, she was awarded funding from the La Trobe University Intellectual Climate Fund twice, and she was a finalist in La Trobe University's 2021 3 Minute Thesis Championship. Lyndel was awarded the inaugural AccessAbility and Inclusion Academic Award in 2021.