The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has announced the winner of its prestigious scholarship, awarded for a research proposal about gender and climate leadership.
Sarah Lawlor, Senior Architect at fjmt studio, was awarded the annual 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD) Scholarship.
NAWIC praised Ms Lawlor for her timely and relevant research proposal Is Climate Leadership in the Construction Industry ‘Women’s Business’?
Over the next ten to eleven months, Ms Lawlor will undertake research that will focus on studying and quantifying the representation of women in environmental leadership positions in the construction industry, to ensure women are included and represented in environmental decision-making.
Through her research, Ms Lawlor will share the work of female environmental leaders with the aim to build awareness of their achievements and to highlight the value of women’s contributions to the climate crisis issue.
Upon the announcement at the NAWIC NSW IWD Breakfast held at the CULT Design Showroom in March 2020, Ms Lawlor said she was thrilled to be the recipient of the scholarship.
“I am incredibly grateful that NAWIC and CULT have provided me the opportunity to explore this nexus of women and environmental leadership in the construction industry,” she said.
“I am certainly hoping that this research will further NAWIC’s vision for an equitable construction industry in which women fully participate, and lead the way for a sustainable future. I look forward to reporting back in a years’ time.”
The $20,000 NAWIC IWD Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2009. Thanks to the support of its long-term sponsor CULT, NAWIC has invested a total of $220,000 to aid research that improves, benefits and empowers women in the construction industry.
According to NAWIC National Chairperson, Kristine Scheul, each IWD the organisation looks at how its theme is reflected in both the IWD Scholarship submissions and in its core business.
“This year it is our mission to ensure that we are THE advocate for positive change for women in the construction industry,” Ms Scheul said.
“IWD is a day where we get the socially endorsed opportunity to get loud about what we, as members of NAWIC, feel strongly about – the need for an increase in female participation in our industry.
“The NAWIC Board congratulates Sarah on her achievement and looks forward to sharing her findings in the coming year.”
