{"id":709194,"date":"2023-09-04T07:44:46","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T06:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=709194"},"modified":"2023-09-04T09:06:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T08:06:32","slug":"practices-need-to-be-bolder-about-promoting-diversity-and-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/opinion\/practices-need-to-be-bolder-about-promoting-diversity-and-inclusion","title":{"rendered":"Practices need to be bolder about promoting diversity and inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year I was honoured to be invited to speak at the University of Cambridge Architecture Society\u2019s (ArcSoc) annual BAME Creative Conversations event. Travelling to Cambridge, I was nervous as I contemplated what insight I, as a non-architect, could share with some of the brightest architectural minds in the land.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As we toured the period buildings that have been knocked through and joined together to create the university\u2019s architecture department, I was struck by the diverse faces and voices I saw and heard. The tour\u2019s highlight was watching students busily preparing their models and sketches for their end-of-year projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I was aware that many (although not enough) of the country\u2019s top universities had made significant strides down the path of inclusion, but to see it at first hand in one of the world\u2019s top educational institutions was inspiring and made me wonder why so few architectural practices I visit can boast the same level of cultural and racial diversity.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we settled into our discussion, we began to talk about the great strides the country has made in the two decades since I was a student. The challenges I faced as a black man at university are unthinkable for today\u2019s intake, so there has been progress \u2013 and a good thing too. Twenty years ago, ArcSoc would not have been running BAME events at the university and, even if they had, there would be precious few BAME students to attend.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The talk turned to inclusion and I spoke of my hope that one day I wouldn\u2019t have to give talks such as this one, nor even speak about this topic, as our industry would allow hard work and talent to flourish regardless of race, culture or social status. Sadly, while I was pleased with what I saw at Cambridge, the industry I work in has not kept pace with the strides forward it has made.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Our industry has improved, but the path to a more equal and just workplace is congested with people who started their journey before inclusivity took shape and became part of corporate responsibility. I sometimes look around meeting rooms and wonder why no one else in the room looks like me and if they appreciate the challenges I had to overcome to get my seat at the table.<\/p>\n

Now I know that this may sound sanctimonious, self-obsessed and slightly narcissistic, but there is an underlying truth to what I am saying: the playing field is not level. We are not playing by the same rules and regardless of how many diversity standards companies sign up to, unless real change is made at senior levels, and quickly, those bright young BAME students of today will have quite a shock when they leave university only to realise they still have to sit at the back of the bus until those at the front alight. Are we really going to ask graduates to wait for a generation to have a truly inclusive industry at all levels of seniority?<\/span><\/p>\n

Many companies and practices in our sector manifestly believe in inclusion. They run events, hire consultants and put up Black History Month posters. But do their senior leadership teams reflect this ambition? Usually not.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When questioned on the lack of diversity at senior levels, practice owners wince and talk about fairness and the hard work these people have put in to attain their positions. They have a point, of course \u2013 until you consider all the people who have worked equally hard and been equally talented but, because of systemic bias, have been excluded from attaining the same levels of success.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I get it; it\u2019s not an easy problem to solve. But employers have to consider more radical solutions if we hope to become an inclusive industry within a generation. Based on my visit to Cambridge, I do not doubt that we will eventually have an inclusive industry. But progress is heartbreakingly slow. You can\u2019t make an omelette without breaking eggs \u2013 and you can\u2019t have an inclusive industry without breaking down systemic barriers to advancement. <\/span><\/p>\n

Kunle Barker is a property expert, journalist and broadcaster\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year I was honoured to be invited to speak at the University of Cambridge Architecture Society\u2019s (ArcSoc) annual BAME Creative Conversations event. Travelling to Cambridge, I was nervous as I contemplated what insight I, as a non-architect, could share with some of the brightest architectural minds in the land.\u00a0 As we toured the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81429,"featured_media":709196,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[745],"tags":[1647,30047,65578,5667],"yoast_head":"\nPractices need to be bolder about promoting diversity and inclusion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The BAME architecture students of today will have quite a shock when they leave university, writes Kunle Barker\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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