RIBA appoints Equality and Diversity champion

Jane Duncan, RIBA Vice President Practice & Profession, has been appointed as RIBA Equality and Diversity Champion. This new role has been established to give senior support to the proactive work already delivered through Architects for Change, the RIBA's Equality and Diversity Forum.

Jane Duncan will lead a programme of renewed activity to investigate the current causes of inequality in the architecture profession and explore best practice with other occupations. The programme for 2013/14 started in March with 'Architecture Out' - a discussion event with Stonewall about the experiences of being gay in architecture - and continue with the roll-out of the highly successful Fluid mentoring scheme for women in architecture.

The RIBA's 2013/14 Equality and Diversity programme will see the investment in a two year detailed project into the current causes, problems and remedies to inequality in architecture and the broader construction industry.

Jane Duncan, RIBA Equality and Diversity Champion, said:

'The barriers to true equality of access to and working within the profession have been sporadically documented over the last decade through research projects at the RIBA and by others within the industry, including the AJ's Women in Architecture surveys, but definitive research to understand the full picture is long overdue. I am delighted that the RIBA has committed to a more detailed programme of activity in 2013/14 that includes a wide-ranging investigation into the current hurdles to equality and diversity in the construction industry, including lessons from other professions.

Architecture needs to reflect and respond to society and our clients' needs. To ensure the success of our future, our profession needs to better understand the issues and their impact, take positive steps to drive out inequality, and ensure that we support, encourage and inspire the widest possible talent pool.'

RIBA President Angela Brady said:

'It is great that Jane Duncan VP Practice is spearheading diversity and women in architecture a subject close to my heart and experience. We need to continue to press the importance of diversity on our profession. It's great that AJ is continuing its wonderful campaign too. We need to ensure that women and the value they bring to all aspects of practice are included at all levels of practice and are re numerated accordingly.'

Future events

Fluid Diversity Mentoring

The second year of the Fluid Diversity Mentoring Programme will be launched at the RIBA.

Tuesday 21st May at 5pm. To attend the event please register here|.

See below for more information.

Past events

 

• Advance. Breakfast event looking at career progression and diversity for built environment professionals. Hosted by the CIC. The Building Centre 24 April 2013 
• Out in Architecture. A discussion considering the experiences of being gay in architecture. In partnership with Stonewall - 19 March 2013
• International Women's Day breakfast. Roca London Gallery in partnership with Women in Architecture (WIA) and the Architects’ Journal - 8 March 2013 
• AfC were delighted to support The Bridge Group's Summer Reception on Social Mobility – 5 July 2012
• Fluid Diversity Mentoring Programme launch in conjunction with Roca London Gallery – April 2012.
• Women in Architecture (WIA) Hamburg – 15 June 2012 as part of Hamburger Architektur Sommers 2012 
• RIBA Last Tuesdays - Power in London (April 2012) in conjunction with WIA
• AfC were proud to support the CIC Diversity Panel Workshop called Constructive Women at IMECHE November 2011
• WIA's Creating Change Event at the Building Centre, 2010 (For more information please see the press release and conference information) 
• Diverscity Snowball

 

 Fluid Diversity Mentoring Programme

The FLUID Diversity Mentoring Programme| is an innovative scheme developed by RIBA’s Architects for Change (AfC) forum, and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) to address the retention and development of talented practitioners from diverse backgrounds for management and leadership roles in the built environment.

The project has been developed in response to evidence gathered on diversity by CIC, AfC, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), the Government’s Fair Access to the Professions Report, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Race Discrimination in the Construction Industry Inquiry Report in addition to other reports.

The programme will recruit from a pan-professional group of participants who, via their applications, demonstrate the drive, ambition and enthusiasm to take part in the scheme.

 

  

Join the Architects for Change network

'Architects for Change', the RIBA's equality and diversity forum has started a new social networking forum within Linked In Group to share information, thoughts and ideas, join us at http://www.linkedin.com/|.