News

25 August 2025 - Social connections matter for the well-being of neurodivergent workers

In our article in The Conversation, "Social connections matter for the well-being of neurodivergent workers – adjustments to office settings and routines aren’t enough" we look at some of the first responses to our interviews.

Although many companies focus on physical adjustments, such as changes to lighting and provision of noise-cancelling technology, this is just one step in workplace adaptations. One of the first highlights from this research has been the importance of a diverse social environment for neurodivergent staff, who can benefit from more varied communication channels, and explicit networking pathways.

10 April 2025 - Neurodiversity Awareness Month

To mark Neurodiversity Awareness Month we published a blog on "Celebrating neurodivergent minds in academia: A symphony of different ways of being".

In the blog we discussed how neurodivergent academics can use their skills and talents to contribute to research and explore complex concepts from unexpected angles, while acknowledging the "diversity" within neurodiversity and how support that works for one person may not work for all.

21 March 2025 - Project kickoff

In celebration of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we are thrilled to launch our British Academy/Leverhulme-funded research project: "Neurodivergent workers and well-being: Socialization and meaningful relationships in the workplace"!

About the Project

Our research team, led by Dr. Raysa Rocha (University of Essex) with co-investigators Dr. Siddhartha Saxena (Heriot-Watt University) and Dr. Louise Nash (University of Essex), is investigating how neurodivergent professionals in the UK's technology sector develop and maintain workplace connections.

This two-year study (March 2025 - February 2027) focuses on understanding the role of "weak ties" – acquaintances and distant connections – in the social networks of neurodivergent individuals across all work environments.

Why this matters

Neurodivergent workers (including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others) bring valuable perspectives and talents to the technology sector but often face unique challenges in forming social connections. These connections are crucial for:

• Career development opportunities
• Information access
• Job satisfaction
• Overall well-being

By understanding these dynamics, we aim to develop evidence-based strategies for creating more inclusive workplaces that foster meaningful professional relationships for all employees.

Get involved

If you are a neurodivergent professional in the UK tech sector interested in participating in our research, or if your organization would like to collaborate with us, please get in touch with Dr Raysa Rocha at raysa.rocha@essex.ac.uk.

Next steps

Over the coming months, our team will be:

• Conducting an extensive literature review
• Partnering with technology companies and neurodiversity organizations
• Developing and piloting our survey instruments
• Beginning data collection in Spring 2025

Stay tuned for regular updates as we progress through this important work!