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What is this week's blog about?
In this week’s blog, we showcase Sinéad Clarkson BSc (Hons) MRICS and Lucy Hind DBA's fantastic open access journal article, Back to Industry—Evaluating Women’s Return to Chartered Accreditation Post-Maternity in the Built Environment Sector Professions, published in the Administrative Sciences journal.
This is fascinating reading for all RICS APC candidates, being particularly relevant to the Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking competency - and of wider interest to all surveyors (Chartered or not).
We recommend following up this blog by listening to a fascinating podcast conversation about driving diversity in surveying between Marion Ellis of Love Surveying and Sinéad.
We will be showcasing other fantastic industry research in the future, so keep an eye on our blog over the coming months!
Who is Sinéad?
Sinéad is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor at PH Plasterers, a dry-lining and partitions subcontractor, and PH Properties, a development and commercial property management company, both based in Yorkshire.
Sinéad works predominantly in the residential sector and is approaching ten years of experience in the construction industry, including tendering and procurement, cost estimation, bid preparation, valuation, claim management, final account negotiation and general project administration using JCT, NEC and bespoke contracts.
1. What inspired you to write the paper?
My undergraduate dissertation looked at previous attempts to increase the number of women working in the surveying profession, and I was fortunate to be supported by my university (Leeds Beckett) to publish this at the end of my apprenticeship.
This piece was inspired by conversations with my peers from the 'Women in Surveying' network, led by Marion Ellis. Some of the women in this group had struggled with their professional membership organisation both, during their maternity leave and on return to work. They turned to the other women in the group for support through the process, and it struck me that accessing support from your professional body during this crucial life event should be easy!
I spent a while researching around the topic and found lots of guidance for employers when designing their maternity/career break policies, but nothing covering professional bodies. The relationship between employer-employee and professional body-member is very different, but for some careers, holding professional accreditation is a pre-requisite. I thought it was worth of some attention!
2. What were some of the most interesting or insightful things you found?
The number of professional membership organisations without a formal maternity/career break policy really surprised me. I expected variability, but not a complete lack of consideration.
Some of the individual experiences were a hard read too. What stood out the most was the difficulties that women experience with accessing information and support, to the point that some were not even aware of any support being available, despite their organisation having a maternity policy.
3. What change you would like to see in the industry, and how does your paper help to contribute to this?
I would love to see our industry shake its 'old fashioned' reputation. Some companies and organisations are making strides towards this, but often the sector seems to lag behind others. I have friends in the legal sector and have been impressed by the SRA's commitment to consistently collecting data and using it to push for a more diverse workforce. All too often, DEI feels like a 'tick box' exercise in the construction sector, when it should be embedded in all processes.
Regarding my article - it is difficult to make improvements without data and feedback. I hope that my paper will highlight the problems and discrepancies for those experiencing career breaks in our sector, and generate efforts to improve support.
4. Why did you become a built environment professional?
It was totally by chance! Like many young people, I struggled with knowing what I wanted to do for a career. I was doing an unrelated undergraduate degree and had a placement module in 2nd year, my placement fell through at last minute and I took a random placement at a local plastering firm. I really enjoyed the six weeks that I spent there, and they offered me an apprenticeship at the end. I really think schools should put more emphasis on work placements and link with local businesses to encourage students to try a variety of roles.
5. What do you like doing when you’re not putting pen to paper?
I used to race push-bikes, on the road but mostly cyclo-cross, which I can only describe as riding a road bike at speed around fields with obstacles. I have travelled nationally and internationally racing but prefer a more sedate form of cycling these days - a nice mountain bike ride with a cake stop is perfect! I also love walking with our two dogs and then curling up with a good book on an evening.
6. What are your plans to build on this research.
Honestly, I'm not quite sure yet, I've been so focused on getting this one over the line! I'll be pretty busy this year as I complete my Master's alongside full-time work.
I'd love the opportunity to do more work in this area, but as I'm not a full-time academic, the logistical side can be a little complicated (think funding, access to ethical supervision, etc). My priority at the moment is ensuring that this piece gets maximum visibility - thank you to Jen and Property Elite for helping with this feature!
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Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you.
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, professional or financial advice.