Surrey academic wins Women in Innovation award

Dr Alison Callwood, CEO of Sammi-Select and academic at Surrey Research Park, has received one of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation awards for her work on technologies to help neurodivergent people successfully enter the workforce.

As lead for the upcoming GENIUS project (Generating Neurodiverse Inclusion Selection), Dr Callwood will explore personalisation options and communication methods which could improve access for those with neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia in online interviews and assessments.

This follows her development of SAMMI, a tool for employers to reduce bias while ensuring a reliable and cost-efficient interview process.

Dr Callwood said: “Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of the UK population is neurodivergent. The unfairness they experience in the recruitment field is unjustified. Tackling this issue will not only improve the working lives of neurodivergent people by unlocking the valuable contribution they can make, but it will also boost the economy by helping address the rising number of unfilled positions in the workforce.

“I am delighted to receive this award which includes a £50,000 grant. The support it offers is invaluable to this project.”

Innovate UK CEO Indro Mukerjee added: “We are proud to support this group of trailblazing women who are changing the world through the power of their ideas. Their innovations underpin solutions inspired by societal and environment challenges, as well as their own lived experiences. I hope their stories will encourage and inspire others to follow their lead.”

The funding provides Dr Callwood access to tailored coaching and mentoring, as well as a range of networking and training opportunities.

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