The Australian Insitute of Architects has published the findings of its national Diversity and Inclusion in the Architectural Profession survey, with accumulated data revealing a perception that the field is male-dominated.
The online survey, comprising 57 questions, was commissioned by the Australian Institute of Architects for voluntary completion between 1 May and 28 May, 2023. The objective of the inquiry was to collect anonymous data and use that as a guide for improving diversity in the architectural workforce.
1,673 members and non-members responded to the survey, which was divided into three sections – demographics and diversity, inclusion, and open-ended comments. At the completion of the survey, respondents were invited to participate in confidential, virtual focus groups facilitated by an external consultant, of which 75 people put their hand up to participate in.
Five key findings were revealed as a result of the survey, including:
1. Many respondents reported the architectural profession as being “dominated by older males” and “inaccessible to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.”
A third of respondents were aged under 35 and 56 percent of survey respondents were born outside of Australia, yet results still showed practice owners and principals were significantly more likely to be older, Australian-born males, feeding perceptions that there is more to be done to promote diversity and inclusion in the profession.
While many statements from respondents acknowledged that some progress had been made in promoting gender diversity, a great deal still flagged issues about cultural and socio-economic diversity within the profession, with particular concern for tokenistic attempts to address these issues.
2. Female respondents were “more likely to report that they combine career with caring roles” than males, as well as more likely to report that “their career was negatively impacted” by a caring role.
31 percent of female respondents combined a career in architecture with a caring role, in comparison to 6 percent of male respondents. “Females (65 percent) were more likely to report that taking parental leave has hindered their career prospects (compared to only 10 percent of males) and they were significantly more likely than men to say that accessing flexible working arrangements (24 percent) has impacted their career opportunities.”
Several concerns were raised by parents and caregivers regarding a lack of support around caring responsibilities. These included the need for consistent and flexible work arrangements, financial barriers for those working part-time, issues of bias, and the representation of mothers in leadership positions.
3. “Only 51 percent of respondents said that the architectural profession values diversity and inclusion,” however, “nearly three quarters said progress is being made in their individual workplace.”
While 73 percent of respondents agreed that their workplace promotes diversity and inclusion, only 51 percent believed that is reflected throughout the overall profession.
According to the survey, participants were more inclined to confirm that their respective workplaces were inclusive of all genders, ages, sexual orientation, abilities, religious beliefs, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic circumstances, than the profession as a whole.
Data showed it was uncommon for employers to have diversity and inclusion programs in the workplace. There was also a general sense that some efforts made by practices felt superficial, as the diversity and inclusion goals set by the practice did not align with the experience of workers.
4. Female respondents “were significantly less likely than male respondents to agree that the architectural profession values diversity and is inclusive of minority groups.”
While 70 percent of male respondents reported that they believed the profession is inclusive of all genders, only 44 percent of female respondents held the same belief.
Male respondents were also more likely than females to agree that the profession is inclusive of people of different cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as those who have a disability, identify as LGBTIQ+ or are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Many open-ended responses and statements in all focus groups highlighted gender inequity issues in the profession. While gender diversity progress was acknowledged, “many still expressed concerns about gender loss in the profession, lack of representation in leadership and lack of support in retaining diversity of talent.” Many also shared inappropriate stories of harassment and exclusion.
5. Respondents reported witnessing or experiencing harassment or discrimination in the workplace in the past 12 months
11 percent of respondents reported witnessing or experiencing sexual harassment, 14 percent revealed they had witnessed or experienced racial harassment and 11 percent witnessed or experienced age-based harassment in the architectural profession at some point in the past 12 months.
Female respondents and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ were more likely to say they had witnessed or experienced sexual harassment (17 percent for both respectively). Female respondents were also significantly more likely to have witnessed or experienced discrimination in hiring, promotion or development opportunities than other groups.
Questions relating to discrimination and harassment were frequently raised in the survey and focus groups, with many responses highlighting the need for awareness training, for removal of registration barriers and improved gender diversity in leadership roles.
As to who took part in the survey, 11 per cent of respondents were sole practitioners, 18 per cent worked in a practice comprising 2-5 staff members, 27 per cent worked with between 6-20 colleagues, 16 per cent worked in practices with 21-50 staff members, and 27 per cent worked in with practices with more than 50 employees.
Institute CEO, Cameron Bruhn thanked all who participated. “For many, this would not have been an easy task, and we truly value your time and honesty,” Bruhn said.
“I would also like to thank the Institute’s National Council for commissioning this project, the work of the National Committee for Gender Equity (NCGE) for their insights, and our hardworking policy and advocacy team for their research, analysis and presentation of findings.
“A project of this nature and scale is unprecedented within the Institute’s history, and will play an important role in moving forward, towards enacting cultural changes in the architectural profession. We want architectural practices to be more representative of the communities they serve, and to be inclusive of different ways to live, work and learn.”
Where possible, the anonymous collated data was cross referenced using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census, ABS Survey findings, Department of Treasury and Department of Health data and the Institute’s membership records.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
