BRIEF
Only 50% (sometimes less) of architectural graduates are men. Yet, globally, the discipline is known for being a male-dominated profession. In India, as per a cursory insight into one of the more sobering statistics, of the 50% registered female architects, only 20% are licensed practitioners.
This gap further widens for people identifying with genders outside of cis-male and cis-female. In the past five years, according to the information provided to us by the COA (in December 2021), only three transgender students have graduated from architecture. This immense disparity in numbers dictates a far worse reality in gender representation in the profession in this post-binary India*.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
INDEPEDENT ARCHITECTURE PRACTICES
Architects having independent architecture practices, irrespective of the size of the firm
FREELANCERS / SELF EMPLOYED ARCHITECTS
Architects providing services such as photography, writing, documentation etc.
ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS
Architects working as academic professionals, whether full time or part time.
ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS
Architecture Students, pursuing undergrad or post grad course.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have 5 forms displayed on the website. Depending on your role, select the survey form most applicable to you.
- Independent architecture practice: Retired/ practicing Principal/ Co-Founder/ Partner
- Employed Architects: Practicing or retired architect professionals
- Academicians: Retired or currently practicing academicians
- Freelancers: Retired from a freelance work or currently involved in freelancing
- Students: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil./Ph.D. students involved in architectural studies
Yes, you can fill in the same form twice if it is applicable.
For example, if you are currently working as an academician in more than one educational institute/university, you can fill in the form twice to account for your varied experiences.
Yes. If you currently have two different primary roles.
For example, if you are working in a practice and are enrolled as a student in an institution, you can fill in the “EMPLOYED ARCHITECTS” and “STUDENTS” form.
You are eligible to fill the “STUDENTS” form in such a case if you fulfil the conditions mentioned below:
- Less than 6 months since you graduated.
- Currently not working either in academia or a practice or both.
We, at ArchitectureLive!, take the protection of your information and data very seriously. Only ArchitectureLive!’s supporting team will have access to the identifying information. Unless approved by you for a follow-up discussion, no potentially identifying information will be mentioned in our outcome.
The survey forms have been developed using MICROSOFT which does not allow tracking of IP addresses.
You can reach out to us at admin@architecture.live if you wish to share something regarding the survey, any additional queries that aren’t resolved through this FAQ, and/or feedback.
SURVEY BRIEF CONTINUED
Gender is a spectrum- this means that the types of gender identities could be infinite. A person could identify as a male, a female, neither, or a combination of multiple genders- irrespective of the gender they were assigned at birth.
Through Gender Parity: Architecture Profession in Post-binary India, we are taking a step toward prompting our profession to practice this inclusivity.
As we attempt this, the questions that face us are:
- How do we propel gender parity in the architecture field in India?
- How do we make the architecture profession (practice and academia) more inclusive?
- How do we address and update the profession’s imbalances?
The answers to these questions depend on your response to our survey.
WHAT ARE WE AIMING FOR?
This survey is a part of our research method, where your participation will allow an accurate understanding of
the perceptions, views, and experiences of various gender roles concerning the (current) architectural institutions and practices
the current situation from first-hand accounts,
the graph of embracing inclusivity over the years, and
the contributing factors and obstacles hindering gender parity.
This data may further help us identify the loopholes and the attitude of the fraternity regarding gender disparity, thereby allowing us to take the discourse further that could eventually lead to an environment where impactful measures could be suggested and adopted.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The survey focuses on ALL the people with a background in architecture in India- students, academicians, practising architects or graduated architects, writers, researchers, historians, photographers, critics, and archivists. We invite all to take part in our survey, which will remain open until 31st March 2023.
THE FINER PRINT
Given the potentially private nature of [some] questions, you may fill in your response anonymously. Any information received through the survey will not be linked to you personally in the public dissemination of the findings. They will be integrated and summarized to protect your anonymity. Only ArchitectureLive!’s supporting team will have access to the identifying information IF the respondent chooses to share the same. Unless approved by the individual in follow-up discussions, no potentially identifying information will be mentioned in our outcome.
Please select the button applicable to you to proceed with filling out the form.
DEFINITIONS:
Non-binary gender, gender creative, and gender expansive people: Umbrella terms for individuals who do not fit into traditional “male” and “female” gender categories. Includes individuals who identify as agender, bigender, gender fluid, genderqueer, and various other genders.
Cis or cisgender people: Individuals who identify with the gender that was assigned to them at birth
Trans or transgender people: Umbrella terms for individuals whose gender identity and/or expression is different from the gender assigned to them at birth. Among individuals who might identify as transgender include trans women and trans men; individuals who cross-dress or who present androgynously; agender, demigender, and genderqueer individuals; and others who cross or go beyond traditional gender categories.
REFERENCES:
- CW Team. (2021, August 16). Only 20% of licensed women architects in India become practitioners.
www.constructionworld.in. https://www.constructionworld.in/policy-updates-and-economic-news/only-20–of-licensed-women-architects-in-india-become-practitioners/29155 - Survey Shows Best and Worst Countries for Female Architects – Arch2O.com. (2016, November 15). Arch2o. https://www.arch2o.com/survey-shows-best-and-worst-countries-for-female-architects/
- LGBTQIA+ terminology – umass. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.umass.edu/stonewall/sites/default/files/documents/allyship_term_handout.pdf
Good surveys clear our assumptions and misunderstandings. The Gender Parity Survey is the little shakeup that we need to wake up to realities that perhaps many know and many of us conveniently ignore.
Our intuitive understanding of our workplace and culture is often surprised by a good set of questions. The questions lead to a gentle critique of our own space and biases. This is what the Gender Parity Survey has aimed at in the Indian architectural space, and it has been a good start.
Our intuitive understanding of our workplace and culture is often surprised by a good set of questions. The questions lead to a gentle critique of our own space and biases. This is what the Gender Parity Survey has aimed at in the Indian architectural space, and it has been a good start.
Vijay Narnapatti / mayaPraxis
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
SUPPORTING TEAM / VOLUNTEERS
Team: Geethu Gangadhar, Megha Pande, Priya Anandani, Aakrati Akar
Advise and Help: Gita Balakrishnan, Sonam Ambe, Vijay Narnapatti, Rajshree Rajmohan, Madhavi Desai, Urvi Desai, Jaya Nila, Achal Dodia, Mayank Borkar, Swati Janu
HAVE A FEEDBACK, OR WANT TO SUPPORT US?
If you have a feedback, comments or suggestion for us, please fill the form. We will revert in two working days, if required.
