The RIBA has launched a new resource which aims to champion and celebrate the diversity of roles and people within the construction industry, with positive role models publications designed to counteract stereotypes.
The Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) writes:
As part of an ongoing commitment to promote diversity and inclusion and inspire a wide talent pool in the construction industry, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) has today (2 June) launched Role Models, a new on-line publication celebrating the diversity of British architects.
Through inspiring and frank interviews with 12 individuals who volunteered to be profiled, RIBA’s new publication, challenges stereotypes of what an architect looks like, and shows the different ways in which it is possible to navigate the inevitable highs and lows of a competitive profession to forge a successful and rewarding career. Role Models includes profiles of:
- Maral Rahmantalab, an Iranian-born female architect, who experienced discrimination on her journey to forging a successful career. Maral wants her story to inspire others to appreciate that their differences can be their strengths and they bring something unique and valuable to the construction industry.
- Stephen Ware, who is profoundly deaf and took part in the project to prove that disability is not inability. Stephen explains how exclusion would hold back the construction industry.
- Daniel Kerr, who explains how difficult it can be for people to understand something they know little about. Daniel hopes that sharing his story as a transgender person will help others understand how people are more likely to achieve success when they can be themselves.
RIBA President Elect and Equality & Diversity Champion, Jane Duncan, said: ‘Diversity is crucial to the future success of our industry and RIBA is committed to providing the necessary leadership to drive out inequality from our construction industry. The Role Models project has given a voice to a diverse cast of inspiring individuals. These 12 features powerfully show that whatever your gender, background, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or education, you can succeed in architecture. I urge the whole industry – students, colleagues, mentors and employers – to read, share and learn from these frank and revealing profiles.’
Alongside the publication of Role Models, RIBA has launched a package of digital resources for anyone inspired by the role models’ stories.
Find out more at www.architecture.com/RIBArolemodels
