UCEM holds first Built Environment Forum and Networking Event in Manchester

Posted on: 26 September, 2024

On 24 September, UCEM held its first Built Environment Forum and Networking Event at x+why 100 Embankment in Manchester.

This was UCEM’s first event in the North of the United Kingdom, and welcomed a mix of students, staff and alumni. The theme of the forum was Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with the proceedings giving guests a chance to discuss the need for greater equality in the built environment.

Mike Speight, Director of Academic Performance at UCEM, opened proceedings by pointing to the role diversity can play in addressing the biggest challenges facing the built environment:

‘Bringing in different perspectives is crucial in the built environment and can have an impact on every stage of the building lifecycle, from the design and safety of buildings to their accessibility and ability to foster inclusion.

‘Improving diversity in the built environment can help us create buildings and environments that better serve and reflect the needs of our communities, but we have work to do. We need to remove the barriers to entry, champion the success of individuals from different backgrounds and create a better built environment.’

Mike was followed by Marsha Ramroop, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Building People CIC and Founder Director of Unheard Voice. Marsha, the event’s keynote speaker, discussed the challenge of unconscious bias and the need for a cultural solution to the cultural problems and behaviours holding back diversity in the sector. Quoting Albert Einstein, she commented:

‘Problems can’t be solved with the same level of consciousness that created them in the first place. A new type of thinking is essential if humankind is to survive and reach higher levels.’

After her speech, Marsha chaired a panel consisting of Dr Chrissi McCarthy, Managing Director at Centre of Behavioural Equality, and Prof Angela Lee, Associate Dean – Research at UCEM.

Asked for her view on diversity in construction and the built environment, Dr McCarthy spoke of her experience on having been the ‘diversity quota’ on construction sites, and the flaws in focusing on numbers and statistics:

‘For me, diversity is an outcome. When we’re chasing diversity figures, I don’t think that we get anywhere fast. I’ve been there myself… I was a diversity quota hire on many building sites, and quite often, I was not the thing that brought improvement to that project, because the way that I was treated made me miserable.’

‘What we have to start understanding is that, in and of itself, diversity doesn’t bring benefit – it’s an outcome of fair, inclusive and equitable environments.’

Dr Lee spoke of her work as Associate Dean – Research at UCEM, that has seen her and her colleagues taking part in workshops and conferences on gender equality in countries like Pakistan, Brazil and Vietnam.

‘The issue with the built environment is that, unfortunately, policies don’t tend to change. There are differences with different countries and cultures, but there are fundamental problems across the entire sector that we need to address.’

‘We need diversity in the built environment desperately. With the challenge of the skills shortage and sustainability, along with the push for greater productivity and the need for innovation, we can only meet these needs and tackle these challenges if our sector embraces diversity and adopts new ways of thinking and working.’

Dr Lee was asked by Marsha what she would say to people who are fearful of calling out the issues they encounter in the sector. She responded:

‘The issues facing the built environment are multi-faceted. It could be social, it could be cultural, it could be the policies of organisations… we have to rise to the challenge and not be afraid to point out these issues. The more and more we talk together about this, the stronger our impact can be.’

Dr McCarthy spoke of the importance of networking and the ability to lift others as a way of fostering change:

‘You might think it’s the hardest working who gets the furthest in construction, but it’s not – it’s networks, networks, networks. The fact you are all in this room today is really valuable.

‘One day, you’re going to be running a site or an office, and you’re going to be choosing your team, and sometimes people will think “Yes, I want to work with that person, that made me feel like I could be more than I felt I could be.” It’s easy to think about the people above us, but start thinking about your potential for leadership, because all of these connections are so important.’

On the event, Ekta Mirchandani-Khemlani, International and Alumni Marketing Officer at UCEM, commented:

‘It was incredible to see so many passionate members of the UCEM community come together for an evening of thoughtful discussions and networking. Marsha, Dr Lee and Dr McCarthy were insightful and inspiring, offering valuable takeaways on how we can all contribute to fostering a more inclusive built environment.

‘The evening also provided a wonderful opportunity for students, alumni and staff to network, collaborate, and strengthen our community’s commitment to creating more inclusive spaces. Overall, our first event in the North was fantastic to witness and we hope to host many more in the future.’