Autistic Professionals in the Public Sector: A Reflection on the Gap in Qualitative Research Within a Large Forces Perspective

Employment of autistic adults remains a persistent social and policy issue. While research on autistic people’s transitions into work, supported employment or employer perspectives in private-sector settings is increasing, little research interrogates public-sector employment of autistic individuals, despite the public sector’s potential to act as an example for the wider labour market to model inclusive practice. We aimed at exploring the experiences and perspectives of autistic individuals, and/or other stakeholders on employability, work experiences or workplace inclusion in Public Administrations and public work through a qualitative metasynthesis. Stunned by the lack of qualitative research on this topic, we chose to use the occasion to interrogate this critical blind spot in current literature, providing a critical reflection on potential reasons for the evidence gap through the lenses of a ‘large forces’ perspective and conclude with targeted recommendations for researchers, public employers, and policy makers, calling for participatory research and pilot workplace reforms that could enhance the public sector’s unique capacity to lead inclusive employment practice.