Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC)

In 2023 Steps and Sasin launched Southeast Asia’s first research centre dedicated to connecting workers with disabilities to meaningful employment, the Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC).

What is the NWRC and how can you be involved?

Neurodivergent people (e.g. people with autism) face barriers to work across the region. This is not only socially unjust, but also detrimental to businesses, who could benefit from the untapped potential of an overlooked workforce.

The NWRC – a catalyst for change

The NWRC is conducting evidence-based research of real, actionable value to businesses who wish to hire inclusively.

Research outputs support the development of corporate inclusion tools, along with training and consultancy services for corporates looking to begin or improve their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) journeys.

Overall, the NWRC aims to significantly increase access to employment for an often overlooked and underutilized portion of society, and will open new opportunities for business and economic growth. The NWRC has come up with an evidence-based roadmap to guide it towards its aim of enabling businesses to implement inclusion on a mass scale. Download the NWRC roadmap (PDF).

Contact us

If you are interested in learning more about the NWRC, becoming a donor, or collaborating with us, please contact nwrc@stepscommunity.com.

Get involved

There are a number of ways to get involved with the work of the NWRC:

Businesses can commission research for your organisation
Researchers can partner with us on studies
Donors can contact us to help fund the work of the NWRC

If you would like to work with us on any of the above, contact us using the button below which will open a blank email to our team.

Our research digest: stay up to date with news about workplace inclusion

The NWRC publishes a quarterly digest to share research findings and other news related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Sign up to the NWRC Digest here, and download our previous digests below.

NWRC Digest volume 1 (July 2023)

Research findings, news and events

On 4 April 2023 the NWRC joined an event hosted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia about disability inclusion. Read more and watch the event on Youtube here: Disability Discussion Focuses on Fostering Innovation, Awareness, Social Impact in ASEAN. Three research papers were launched at the event including: inclusive education, social enterprises and disability, and technology and disability.
This article by NWRC Director of Research Dr Drew Mallory focuses on five ways that business schools and businesses can support the neurodivergent members of their campuses, workforces, and local communities: Neurodiversity and the Future of Work.
Chulalongkorn University’s Sasin School of Management Launches IDEALS Policy to Drive Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Business (Thai language).
This article on the Business Because website looks specifically at how Business Schools can support neurodiverse students: How Can Business Schools Improve Inclusion For Neurodiverse Students Within The Classroom And Beyond
Newswise article focusing on Sasin’s IDEALs inclusion policy.

A thank you to our donors

The work of the NWRC would not be possible without the incredible support of our donors, who are truly committed to ensuring that anyone can access employment.

Many thanks to the following organisations: