Over the last year the J.E.D.I. talks have become a popular platform for discussion on themes varying from equality, flexible working, the impact of working from home, and racism v. inclusion. Open and informal discussions highlight the imbalance often found in architectural practice and education, our personal experiences and viewpoints. Our hope is that understanding and conversation encourages challenge and helps kickstart change.

This month our conversation focuses on the impact of the pandemic on gender diversity. Historically recessions have resulted in a drop in the representation of women in architecture. As the Coronavirus changes the way we work, many women in particular have been negatively impacted by WFH, have been laid off or furloughed. Anecdotes and ongoing studies are revealing that we potentially have many considering downshifting careers/ leaving architecture altogether. We will be hearing from experience, both negative and positive, discussing how we can help ourselves and also question how, as employers we can be more supportive in a bid to avoid losing any progress made to date in pursuit of retaining and improving diversity.

We’ll be hearing short contributions from various architects in practice, including insight from executive coach Karen Fugle. This will be followed by open discussion facilitated by Grace Choi.

Everyone is welcome to join our conversation and we endeavour to be a non-hierarchical, value driven group in pursuit of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in architecture.

Once booked in, you will be sent a zoom link for the online session.

Speakers so far:

• Grace Choi: Grace Choi Architecture & RIBA NE Change The Record lead

• Karen Fugle: SleepingGiant Consulting & Women In Architecture

• Lianne Knotts: Medical Architecture & RIBA NE Change The Record advocate

• Hilary L’Anson: P + HS Architects

• Sarah Akigbogun: Studio Aki, XXAOC, Women in Architecture, RIBA

• Chithra Marsh: Buttress Architects

• Fiona Welch: Collective Architecture

Online event T&C