AIASF Equity by Design to Launch Second Equity in Architecture Survey

 

AIA San Francisco (AIASF) and the Equity by Design Committee will launch the second Equity in Architecture Survey in March 2016. Building upon the inaugural survey conducted in 2014, the second survey will further advance the national movement for equitable practice in the profession.

“This survey will provide us with insightful baselines to better understand and support our members along their career path,” says AIASF President Aaron Jon Hyland, AIA. “Our chapter has always been at the forefront of supporting emerging professionals, building bridges between academia and the profession, and now we will be able to leverage that support along the entire career path trajectory.”

The 2016 Equity in Architecture Survey will seek to create a comprehensive national dataset detailing current positions and career experiences of architecture school graduates. The resulting research will focus on differential experiences of women and men as well as underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The results will provide insights for talent retention in firms by exploring pinch points that influence decisions to leave the profession as well as factors that promote satisfying and sustainable careers in architecture for all architectural professionals.

“Research has been the impetus for action with key findings fueling the 2015 AIA National 15-1 Equity in Architecture Resolution to the establishment of the AIA National Commission on Equity in Architecture, and firms of all sizes are beginning to re-evaluate workplace policies for equitable practice,” says Rosa Sheng, AIA, AIASF Equity by Design Committee Chair. “Knowledge is power, and an effective tool for change."

The survey will be open for a five-week period, beginning in early March. On average, the online survey should take an estimated 15-20 minutes to complete.

“We are excited to serve as the research partner for this noteworthy project,” remarks the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Executive Director Michael Monti, PhD, Hon. AIA.

Key research goals/objectives for the 2016 Equity in Architecture Survey include:

• Comparison of the current positions and career experiences of architecture school graduates nationwide, including both current architectural professionals and those who no longer practice architecture.
• Identification of career pinch points associated with these experiences, and comparison of the impact of career development, advancement, and talent retention of professionals of different backgrounds.
• Highlights of individual attitudes and behaviors, as well as employer-provided benefits and practices that contribute to success in navigating these pinch points. Conversely, identification of behaviors and practices that correlate with negative outcomes.

Participation in the upcoming study includes the American Institute of Architects (AIA), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). The survey is funded through AIASF’s sustaining sponsorship program and in part through the AIA National Diversity & Inclusion Grant. For a full list of sponsors and supporters, please visit www.aiasf.org.

AIASF/Equity by Design: Equity in Architecture Survey 2016

Project Information & FAQ’s

Project Background
The Equity in Architecture Research Project is an outcome of AIA San Francisco’s 2012 and 2013 sold-out Missing 32% symposia. Formed from the desire for sustained discussion about equity in architectural practice, these events produced a commitment to change the status quo for both women and men by conducting additional research, publishing best practices, and fostering peer-to-peer accountability and collaboration among firms regionally and beyond. Of primary importance is attracting and retaining the profession's best talent pool by providing equitable conditions that empower individuals to succeed.

Equitable practice addresses the conditions under which architectural talent is developed and retained within the profession. It reflects the architecture profession’s commitment to reflect the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of U.S. society, and the principle that all individuals seeking careers in architecture should have access to educational and work environments that empower them to find success based on their individual talents and needs. Equity is everyone’s issue.

Equity by Design Mission Statement:
Equity by Design is a call to action for both women and men to realize the goal of equitable practice, advance architecture, sustain the profession and communicate the value of design to society. Our mission is to understand the pinch points and promote the strategic execution of best practices in the recruitment, retention, and promotion of our profession's best talent at every level of architectural practice.

What will the research survey project involve?
The Equity in Architecture Survey will collect the professional experiences, backgrounds, and aspirations of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 graduates from Architecture schools in the United States. Parallel survey tracks include the following:

• Individuals who are currently working in an architectural practice.
• Individuals who have worked in an architectural practice in the past, but are currently employed in another profession (either in an aligned AEC field or not).
• Individuals who have worked in an architectural practice in the past and currently not employed, taking a career break or on a leave of absence.

What should participants expect?
Participants will complete a 15-20 minute online survey administered and secured by the research team. At the end of the online survey, participants interested in participating in follow-up interviews may indicate their interest.