Category: Resources

As part of InterAct’s sandpit funding, a team of researchers at Loughborough, Derby, Durham and Teesside Universities have conducted a series of questionnaires, workshops and interviews with manufacturers, policy makers, educators and community members to assess the key impediments to digital technology adoption in manufacturing.

This research aims to derive a potential solution, building a platform to bring together key stakeholder groups and address some of the barriers to digitalisation, driving change at a local level. This work included examining the role of both digital but also physical spaces, such as makerspaces.

The work highlights the need to improve perceptions of manufacturing and digital technologies at community level, with the potential to expand these concepts at national, or international level.

This research was conducted by Dr. Elaine Conway, (Loughborough Business School), Professor Atanu Chaudhuri (Durham University), Dr. Jay Daniel (University of Derby), Dr. Usman Adeel (Teesside University). This work was supported by the UKRI Made Smarter Innovation Challenge and the Economic and Social Research Council via InterAct [Grant Reference ES/W007231/1].

The manufacturing industry in the UK faces significant challenges in fostering diversity and inclusion, particularly regarding the employment of disabled individuals. While gender and ethnic diversity have been prioritised, disability inclusion remains largely overlooked, despite disabled people making up 23% of the UK’s working-age population. Persistent employment and pay gaps, alongside digital skill disparities, further hinder access to opportunities in manufacturing.

This project examined how digital technologies, inclusive management, and accessible business practices can bridge these gaps. Adopting a socio-technical approach, the project team envisions a future where technological advancements align with workplace inclusivity, supporting disabled employees through innovations such as AI-powered automation, VR training, and assistive robotics.

This report introduces a 2040 scenario, centring on Josie, a disabled manufacturing worker, to illustrate how technology and societal shifts can create an inclusive workforce. Insights from industry stakeholders validated the feasibility of these advancements but also highlighted barriers, including unequal access to digital tools and employer reluctance to accommodate disabled workers.

Key Visions for an Inclusive Future:

1. Inclusive Society – Equal access to digital skills education and training from an early stage.
2. Inclusive Technology – Enhanced accessibility to digital tools for individuals and SMEs.
3. Inclusive Workplace – Overcoming physical and attitudinal barriers through flexible policies and leadership awareness.

Policy Recommendations:

1. Inclusive Education & Training – Manufacturing skills programs must be tailored for disabled individuals.
2. Collaboration Between OEMs & SMEs – Industry-wide partnerships to ensure accessible technology adoption.
3. Supported Employment Initiatives – Proving the value of disabled workers in manufacturing through structured programs.

By aligning technological advancements with inclusive policies and workplace adaptations, the manufacturing industry can unlock the full potential of disabled workers, fostering innovation, productivity, and a more equitable workforce.

This research was conducted by Dr. Marisa Smith (University of Strathclyde), Dr. Eun Sun Godwin (University of Wolverhampton), Professor Nigel Caldwell (London Metropolitan University), Dr. John Oyekan (University of York), Dr. Sebastian Pattinson (University of Cambridge). This work was supported by the UKRI Made Smarter Innovation Challenge and the Economic and Social Research Council via InterAct [Grant Reference ES/W007231/1].

Webinar overview

This session featured Professor Colin Lindsay from InterAct’s ‘Future of Work’ team and Dr Marisa Smith of the ‘Disability Inclusion in Manufacturing’ project, alongside LightGuide’s Managing Director – EMEA, Marc Baines.

The aim of the webinar was to examine the growth of digital solutions in manufacturing and what opportunities they offer organisations willing to embrace change. Colin, Marc and Marisa discussed how new technology have the capacity to empower employees, drive productivity and innovation, and diversify the talent pool to expand workforce inclusivity.