You are invited to be part of the SA Designers for Diversity initiative being implemented by the SA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects

The Australian Research Council funded project Equity and Diversity in the Australian Architecture Profession: Women, Work and Leadership, published on the Parlour website [http://archiparlour.org/research/] shone a spotlight on our industry and highlighted some surprising and disturbing realities. It is naïve to think the situation in South Australia is substantially different to the picture painted in this report.

The SA Designers for Diversity program is an initiative aimed at those people in positions of influence, who are best placed to initiate change. It acknowledges the benefits of aiming for diversity within our industry and support those who choose to participate.

Our program is modelled on the successful Male Champions of Change program but is tailored to the SA context and promotes a less directed and more self-managed approach. http://malechampionsofchange.com/architects/

This program will give you the opportunity to measure progress and benchmark best practice within your firm, and to assess how equitable and inclusive your policies, both formal and informal, are. It will highlight those firms who are already adopting inclusive practices and hopefully inspire those who are not to implement changes.

The aim is to create a group that works together in a collaborative manner to effect change in our Industry. It will not be an overnight fix, and for it to happen will require the leadership of those in the position to influence sustainable change.

We thank those practices who have signed up already:
Swanbury Penglase
Brown Falconer
GHD Woodhead
Studio 9
Hames Sharley
Hardy Milazzo
Hodgkison
Cox
DASH Architects
DesignWell
Oxigen
Wax
TCL

To sign up or seek more information please email sa@architecture.com.au