Disability and Diversity in a Future of AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) advancements and adoption continue at a rapid pace, there is a need to ensure the opportunities and benefits to people and workplaces are realised across the workforce. Hear from people with disabilities, business leaders, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and researchers, as we explore and debate the implications of AI on employment opportunities and work experiences for disabled people. 

This interactive workshop will explore disability and diversity in a future of AI, highlighting the importance of workforce diversity and the need to design in disability to AI developments and applications within the workplace to ensure no one is left behind and the full potential of AI is realised.

Our panel of speakers include: 

• Daniel Wheatley, Director of the Work Inclusivity Research Centre, University of Birmingham
  
  Dr Wheatley's research focuses on workplace well-being, flexible working, spatial aspects of work, and time-use, using mixed methods and large-scale data analysis.
• Chris Erwood, Director of Erwood & Associates Ltd and Trustee of The Edward Gostling Foundation
  
  Chris is a long-standing trustee of a The Edward Gostling Foundation, contributing governance expertise and championing equal opportunities for people with disabilities or long-term illness.
• Dr Neve Abgeller, Associate Professor in Work, Organisation and Employment, University of Birmingham
  
  Dr Abgeller researches disability, inclusion, and identity in organisational life, using participatory methods to amplify marginalised voices, including work with visually impaired athletes.
• Emma Partlow, Director of Engagement, Transreport
  
  Emma drives engagement at an accessibility tech company, combining research, industry experience, and lived experience of disability to improve inclusive travel and policy impact.
• Jake Wall, Policy Manager, Skills and Future of Work, TechUK
  
  Jake leads policy on skills and the future of work at a major tech trade body, focusing on talent development and digital transformation.
• Dr Aikaterina Tavoulari, Research Fellow, University of Birmingham
  
  Dr Tavoulari brings over 19 years of interdisciplinary clinical psychology experience across disability education, healthcare, and academia, with expertise in disability studies, vision impairment, and qualitative research.
• Helen Hunt, Former Assistant Programme Manager, Health Innovation West Midlands
  
  Helen has supported health innovation across the West Midlands, drawing on NHS experience and personal insight as a carer for 2 disabled children. 

This event is part of AI Empowered.

This event is part of the 2025 ESRC Festival of Social Science Programme at the University of Birmingham.

Hosted by Research Strategy and Services Division as part of Birmingham Tech Week. This event is presented in association with the Campaign for Social Science.

Please note: If your are unable to attend in person and would like to join online please insert ‘I will be joining online’ in the accessibility question box (question number 7) in the registration form. We will issue a teams link to you the day before and on the day of the event.