Be part of the change

What is the campaign?

The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change.

‘Be part of the change’ is an awareness campaign with the purpose of celebrating the incredible success stories of our under-represented students, apprentices and alumni, as well as highlighting their challenges.

It’s also an opportunity to highlight the positive practices our employers are actioning within their organisations to inspire other companies in their approach.

Under-represented groups

We have identified the following groups who are under-represented in the built environment and who we want to hear from:

Women
Ethnic minorities
LGBTQIA+
People with disabilities
Neurodivergent
Up-skillers
First generation
Care leavers
International trailblazers

Statistics

What’s the reality?

The reality of under-representation within the built environment is acknowledged by the industry’s awarding bodies and largest employers.

Slide

of the profession are female but women make up roughly half of the UK population 1

of the profession are are from ethnic minority groups despite 14% of the UK identifying as ethnic minorities 2

of disabled respondents had experienced occasions where they felt their chances of being accepted for a job were lower because of their disability 3

of those in management roles are from lower socio-economic backgrounds compared to 53% from high socio-economic backgrounds 4

Share your story!

Get involved

If you are part of any of the under-represented groups, we would love to hear your story.

The purpose of Be Part of the Change is to give voice to your experience and to highlight your success stories.

We hope that by amplifying your journey, we can inspire more under-represented people into the built environment and change the face of the sector.

Contributor’s questionnaire

This questionnaire is published and managed by University of the Built Environment as a part of the ‘Be part of the change’. Participation in the survey is optional.

It is important you read and understand how we will be managing your data before completing and submitting the questionnaire below.

Privacy and data information

Privacy Notice

This questionnaire includes contact information and data that is defined as sensitive in the UK Data Protection Act. We will not share any personal information supplied by you in the questionnaire with any third party.

What University of the Built Environment will do with this information

Stage one:

Data captured in this questionnaire will be used to gain an understanding of the experiences of under-represented students and alumni in the built environment. It will also inform us how you wish to engage further with us.

Stage two:

Data captured during this questionnaire may be used to build collateral and case studies for ’Be Part of the Change’ . Prior to using your story, we will seek further consent for how we have represented your information and your permission for where it will be used. At this stage we will confirm your connection to the University.

Data Storage

It will be stored securely on University of the Built Environment systems which are hosted in the UK and the EU and any identifiable personal data will be deleted when the ‘Be part of the change’ campaign is complete. The University of the Built Environment Data Protection Policy can be found here. If you have any queries about this survey then please email bepartofthechange@ube.ac.uk

References for statistics

_{1 Built environment sector bodies unite to improve diversity and inclusion, CIOB}
_{2 Building inclusivity: laying the foundations for the future, RICS}
_{3 Building’s latest diversity survey lifts the lid on discrimination in construction, Building}
_{4 Socio-economic background is seen as a major factor in career progression, research shows, Managers}