DEI Diagnostic · Australian Institute of Architects
Australian Institute of Architects
From insight to industry leadership.
Uncovering systemic barriers to inclusion across the architectural profession.
Client Goals
The mandate
The Royal Australian Institute of Architects sought a profession-wide, evidence-based understanding of systemic inclusion barriers across diverse member cohorts — moving beyond anecdote to a credible diagnostic capable of informing transparent reform.
- ●Profession-wide evidence base on lived experience
- ●Barriers to participation, progression and representation
- ●Cohort-specific findings across CALD, women, carers, First Nations, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability
- ●Structured inclusion diagnostic to strengthen governance and industry leadership
What We Did
Our approach
Co-Designed National Diversity & Inclusion Survey
- ●Profession-specific instrument tailored to architecture
- ●Quantitative analysis identifying profession-wide trends and cohort disparities
- ●Statistical clarity as the foundation for deeper inquiry
National Virtual Focus Groups (Trauma-Informed)
- ●Voluntary participation and informed consent
- ●Skilled facilitation trained in managing sensitive disclosures
- ●Anonymous contribution pathways where preferred
- ●Pattern identification across cohorts — not individual incidents alone
Industry-Wide Recommendations
- ●Structural and cultural reform priorities
- ●Cohort-specific actions
- ●Governance, accountability and measurement
The Outcome
What changed
RAIA gained a credible, evidence-based platform for profession-wide reform.
- ●Profession-wide diagnostic of inclusion barriers
- ●Lived-experience evidence across all priority cohorts
- ●Clear representation and progression gaps surfaced
- ●Roadmap for transparent, profession-wide action
Key Impact Areas
Where it landed
Evidence Base
From anecdote to structured, profession-wide data.
Trauma-Informed Practice
Safe member participation across sensitive themes.
Cohort Specificity
Findings disaggregated across priority groups.
Industry Leadership
Foundation for transparent reform across the profession.
Services Delivered
What we provided
- ✓National DEI Survey Design & Analysis
- ✓Trauma-Informed Focus Groups
- ✓Cohort-Specific Lived-Experience Research
- ✓Industry-Wide Recommendations & Roadmap
Stay close to the work
Insights from inside the engagements.
Weekly insights on fostering respectful, safe and inclusive workplaces — direct to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
If your industry body is ready to move from anecdote to evidence, let's start the conversation.
Book a confidential call →More case studies
Diversity Strategy · ATO DEI Strategy
Australian Taxation Office
From award-winning programs to an executive-led, enterprise-wide DEI strategy.
Respect at Work · NSW Parliament
NSW Parliament & Ministerial Workplaces
Building Respect at Work capability across NSW Parliament.
Inclusive Leadership · Mining
Global Mining Organisation
Shifting leaders from resistance to ownership on gender equity.