Three episodes into season four and we're deep into important territory. In this episode the Geeks sit down with internationally renowned designer, researcher, and workplace changemaker Kay Sargent, director of thought leadership and interiors at global architecture firm HOK.
Kay has spent the past eight years co-ordinating a major research initiative, culminating in a brand new book, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment. What began as a curiosity-led research project has turned into a transformative design movement grounded in neuroscience, empathy, and research evidence.
We caught up with Kay in person at HOK’s London office to explore her story, the book, and what it means to design workplaces that work for the full spectrum of human neurodiversity. In this fun and thought-provoking conversation, we learn:
Featuring a reflection section with returning guest Josh Artus from Centric Lab, connecting Kay’s insights to brain science, lived experience and the real-world barriers to inclusive change:
"Kay's work, alongside our BCO report, show why employers and managers, alongside designers, developers, and landlords, need to come to terms with the lived experience of neurodivergent people and urban corporate work life. Understanding this will yield an intelligent and measured approach to a complex situation. And when you really understand the problem, the solution can be very straightforward"
🎙️Dialogue editing by David Crackles
☎️ Leave us a voicemail on the Workplace Geeks hotline — we might feature you on a future episode!
📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for more Geeky goodness
📅 Join our upcoming Audiem webinars (and catch up on-demand)
🌟 Like what you hear? Rate and review us Apple Podcasts, and recommend us to your workplace pals!
💬 Ideas, feedback, or guest suggestions?
Workplace Geeks is sponsored by 2468 Group ☕️
Brought to you byAudiem ⚡️— powering smarter workplace decisions with AI-driven insights. Want to know more? Get in touch 🫱🏻🫲🏼
🎧 Dialogue editing by David Crackles...