Discussions Downstairs at dMFK: After the Fawcett Report, What Needs to Change?

For dMFK’s inaugural Discussions Downstairs breakfast seminar, hosted in dMFK’s basement extension, the studio welcomed founder of People+Practice, Judith Topley, for a thoughtful morning exploring the recent RIBA-commissioned Fawcett Society report.

Titled Build it Together, the report follows on from a 2003 study, ‘Why Do Women Leave Architecture?’ to establish why women continue to face unequal pay, barriers to progression and unfair working cultures.

The conversation offered important takeaways for every stage of a career, from the day-to-day acts of allyship, to the structural changes needed to achieve gender diversity at leadership level. These included sustained investment in HR and people practices, and a shift in how the profession understands career progression, recognising that breaks and pivots are not failures but part of a healthy, non-linear career.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such an open and constructive discussion. The conversation will continue through future Discussions Downstairs at dMFK.