October 2024
It’s been a busy time for us, with lots of exciting projects and initiatives. Our Head of Research and Consultancy, Dr Deborah Leveroy, provides an overview of our current research and engagement activities.
Project updates: Development of a Line Manager Toolkit for Disabled and/or Neurodivergent Remote Workers (DNRWs): update
You may remember that earlier in the year we announced our partnership with Dr Chris Grant at Coventry University on the ESRC funded project Development of a Line Manager Toolkit for Disabled and/or Neurodivergent Remote Workers (DNRWs). The project seeks to provide essential guidance and practical strategies for those managing remote disabled and neuro-different colleagues.
The team have been busy interviewing participants and analysing the data, and we are excited to now be in the toolkit development phase. Once this phase is complete, we will be running focus groups with members of the Vodaphone employee network to gain feedback and develop the work further.
We feel this is a much needed resource, that will benefit both new and experienced managers, by providing them with practical strategies and sign-posting resources to better manage remote workers. Wed look forward to sharing the final toolkit with the neurobox community, in early 2025!
Staff updates: Bronwyn has joined the team!
Back in August, Bronwyn Francis joined us as neurobox’s People and Culture Manager. They will be working with Deborah and our research partners on various projects, including the remote toolkit. It’s great to have Bronwyn on board, who brings a wealth of experience in HR Business Partnering, Learning & Development and Reward, in both the private and public sector.
Our partnership with the Centre for Healthcare and Communities, Coventry University
Our partnership with the Centre for Healthcare and Communities at Coventry University continues to be productive and fruitful, providing us with opportunities to exchange knowledge and bring industry and academia closer together.
Deborah has been invited to co-supervise a masters research student on the subject of nursing and neuro-inclusive practice. She is looking forward to the process and providing subject-matter insight to the team.
Deborah will also join Dr Chris Grant, Dr Sally Pezaro and colleagues in developing a Workforce, Wellbeing and Mental Health Cluster within the Centre. The cluster will facilitate common interests and approaches of staff and postgraduate students by fostering exchange and collaboration in project bids and research activities. This research cluster brings together colleagues working on a diverse array of topics related to healthcare, workplace practices and mental health.
Public engagement
In September, Deborah presented to the Diverse Minds: Empowering Neurodiversity in Biological Sciences. Led by the University of Nottingham BBSRC DTP, in collaboration with the SWBio DTP and funded by the BBSRC, this exciting event was designed to equip neurodivergent students and academics with the essential tools and strategies for career success.
Deborah spoke about how transitions from university to the workplace can be daunting, especially for neurodivergent students and academics. The talk considered what support is available for postgraduate students and post-docs transitioning into the workplace, either inside or outside academia.
Please join our insight panels!
We are close to kicking off our very first insight panel, and it’s not too late to join.
As a valued panel member, you will play a crucial role in shaping decisions related to new and existing services, products, research projects, and resources. Your input will directly influence how we can deliver the best possible outcomes for employees, teams, and organisations.
If you are an employee, employer, manager, HR professional, lived experience expert, or any one with professional or lived experience of neurodiversity and disability in the workplace, we’d love to hear from you. Please note, you need to be over 18 to join the panel.
https://hub.neurobox.co.uk/neurobox-insight-panel
Please contact Deborah to discuss potential research partnerships, projects and activities: deborah@neurobox.co.uk
About the author
Dr. Deborah Leveroy is Neurodiversity and Inclusion Lead at neurobox. She works with organisations to advance neuro-inclusion strategy and practice. Deborah has a PhD in Dyslexia, inclusion and performer training from the University of Kent.
Her research is published by Routledge in peer-reviewed journals and edited collections. Current research interests include Neuroinclusive return to work practices and remote working. Previous roles include Disability Advisor for Remploy’s BBC workplace adjustment contract, Strategy Coach and Workplace Needs Assessor for PAM occupational health and Study Skills Tutor for several DSA providers.
Related readings
Line Manager toolkit for disabled and neurodivergent remote workers
