Student insight influences recruitment decisions

Insight from business students at Leeds is influencing government recruitment policy for neurodivergent applicants.

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is analysing data and findings from Leeds University Business School (LUBS) MSc Organisational Psychology and Business students, who tackled a real-world business challenge with theory and practice from their studies.

Two groups of students partnered with the DWP and AtkinsRéalis, a global engineering organisation. Following an application process, students responded to a commercial brief for each partner.  

Students working in partnership with the DWP focused on recruitment challenges including attracting, recruiting and developing diverse talent.

The brief explored how the DWP and government can make the cyber security profession more accessible to a wider audience, identify barriers and gain insights into experiences of working in government security.  

Devanshi Shah, who took part in the project, focused on neurodivergent applicants and took data from a mix of groups including international students, current employees at the DWP and UK based residents.

Devanshi said: “It was really rewarding to have the support from the government on my project. I really enjoyed being able to put the methods and techniques I’ve learned during my course into practice at government level.” 

I’m so pleased that my work is making an impact, it was great to see the DWP being open to suggestions and willing to make a change for the better.

Sara Shinde also presented her findings to the DWP. She explored how the DWP can support career switchers with the transition into new roles in the DWP’s Security Academy. 

Sara’s results were positive, and she shared insightful recommendations for further support for entry-level employees and communication management. 

Sara said:

The people who I interviewed said that the DWP academy had changed their lives for the better – it was that moment I understood how impactful this project was. The project helped me identify what my next steps will be and what my career path looks like.

The DWP are continuing to analyse the data and findings from the student project and have taken on board the recommendations for neurodivergent applicants in their recruitment processes. 

Joe Fogarty, Head of Cyber Security at the DWP, said: “This was a really valuable project and very enjoyable series of presentations, with some great insights for Government Security and DWP to think about for how we manage recruitment in the future.” 

The second group of students worked with AtkinsRéalis and used the new LUBS Behaviour Lab in order to collect data for their projects. The Behaviour Lab environment allowed students to complete experiments, with access to state of the art technology, such as VR and eye tracking technology.  

Students worked on challenges relating to the design of hybrid workspaces and undertook experiments using Gorilla software, to investigate the effects of noise, communication and biophilia on workplace performance. The data presented will be used to inform the design of contemporary workspaces.

Renato Barrientos La Rosa’s project with AtkinsRéalis looked at noise in the workplace and how intervention can change people’s attitudes to this. Renato undertook experiments in the Behaviour Lab with a web based platform, Gorilla, for his experimental research. 

Renato said:

What drew me to Leeds was the opportunity to explore advanced research and do my own experiments working with a business. I’m currently using the data I collected during this project in my portfolio and hope to work in people analytics.

Renato pitching to the AtkinsRéalis panel.

Archontia Manolakelli, Architect and Senior Design Researcher at AtkinsRéalis, said: “We have been working with LUBS for a few years and this year’s presentations have been exceptionally interesting and applicable for us. 

“Our teams were particularly interested in the guidelines that were presented, that very much resonate with various challenges we face in our day-to-day practice. In particular, the effects and perception of noise remains a topic of interest as hybrid working remains an integral part of our working lives. Attention restoration through biophilic design is also a very popular topic and something clients often ask about. The discussions have sparked further conversations within our teams about the integration of these and wider research findings in our practice. We are looking to continue to work with the University into 2025.”

Dr Helen Hughes, Associate Professor at LUBS and Director of the Behavioural Lab, said: ”Theory and practice are two halves of the same problem, and this is why it is so important that we build relationships between academia and wider society.” 

Our students have had the opportunity to refine their research and commercial skills, and their findings are providing insights that develop and challenge theory, and support the organisation in delivering evidence-based practice.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Hurrey in the University of Leeds Press Office.