Abstract
The construction industry continues to struggle to attract women into civil engineering. Despite drives for equality in both the UK and the US, women remain underrepresented on university courses, and thus also in the field. Increased understandings of this can inform and support positive change. A comparative study of the experiences of both male and female engineers at different stages of their careers in the UK and USA was undertaken. A purposive sample was selected which included students, graduates and full-time engineers, with one male and one female participant at each experiential level. Interviews with n=10 UK and n=10 US engineers were held via Zoom, transcribed and analyzed to reveal the dominant themes therein. Findings reveal gendered differences in how the participants position themselves within the industry. Familiar problems also have long shadows; entry to the industry, general awareness and perceptions of construction, as well challenges of bias, sexism and stereotypes all endure. This study updates understandings of why and how women continue to be underrepresented in civil engineering and using evidence from both countries makes suggestions to enhance gender equality in this space.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 39th Annual ARCOM Conference |
Editors | Apollo Tutesigensi, Christopher J. Neilson |
Place of Publication | London |
Publisher | Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) |
Pages | 216-225 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780995546370 |
Publication status | Published - 4 Sept 2023 |
Event | The 39th Annual ARCOM Conference 2023 : Constructing for the Future - University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom Duration: 4 Sept 2023 → 6 Sept 2023 https://arcom.ac.uk/conf-intro.php |
Conference
Conference | The 39th Annual ARCOM Conference 2023 |
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Abbreviated title | ARCOM |
Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Leeds |
Period | 4/09/23 → 6/09/23 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- comparative analysis
- engineering
- gender
- women
- USA
- UK