There’s a growing recognition that the talents of neurodivergent people are too often wasted when they cannot access the workplace or aren’t properly supported in developing their careers. I am really excited about the opportunity to contribute to the DWP’s work on this; my hope is to help the government develop policies that turn best practice into common practice.
Professor Kim Hoque
26 February 2025
King's Business School researcher appointed to government expert panel on neurodiversity in employment
Kim Hoque, Professor of Human Resource Management, has been appointed to the Department of Work and Pensions’ expert panel on neurodiversity in employment.
Professor Hoque is a leading expert on human resource management and EDI, and in particular on disability employment disadvantage. In 2013 he co-founded the Disability@Work research group. He was a commissioner on the Centre for Social Justice’s Disability Commission chaired by Lord Shinkwin, and in 2021, along with leading charities, disabled people’s organisations and trade unions, he co-founded the Disability Employment Charter.
In his new role, Professor Hoque will make an important contribution to developing government policy around the disadvantage faced by workers with invisible neurological conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
As a member of the evidence review group, he will help shape evidence-based recommendations for improving neurodivergent people’s employment outcomes. These recommendations will inform Sir Charlie Mayfield’s independent review into the role of employers in promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces, which was announced in the ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper in November. The review group will also build on the previous government’s Review of Autism Employment, led by Sir Robert Buckland KC MP, which reported in February 2024.
Announcing the establishment of the expert panel, Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said:
For too long disabled people and those with a neurodiversity condition have been left behind, ignored, and not given the support they need to get into work. As part of our Plan for Change, we will turn this around, and with the expertise of these leading academics we will achieve our mission of supporting neurodivergent people into the workplace and reaching our 80% employment rate ambition.
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability