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Architect Mothers, Fathers, Parents Community


  • RIBA London RIBA 66 Portland Place London W1B 1AD London United Kingdom (map)

Architect Mothers, Fathers, Parents Community

Presented by WIA UK in collaboration with RIBA and RIBA’s Balance Community

In 2023, WIA UK will focus on a series of events that showcase differences, biases and challenges faced by Architect parents.

Three events will create awareness and discuss:

1.  Maternity versus Paternity leave, legal issues and why some Architects leave architectural practice or become entrepreneurs.

2.  Career breaks and corporate policies for new mothers/parents returning to work.

Juggling two lives at home and in the office. Flexible working models for Architect parents with babies or children and the associated time pressures of working in UK architectural practices or architecture schools.

This first event will be a general introduction to kick off the discussion and canvas the audience's primary concerns and challenges for Architect parents. It is a participatory session where narratives of Architect parents in the audience mix with invited speakers and other advisory groups, including legal advice. We want to recognise the pinch points of women leaving architecture because of parenting demands and open up a discussion about women architects' entrepreneurialism in or outside traditional architectural practice.

WIA UK aims to provide a supportive, engaging, friendly environment to connect with others, and hear from industry professionals and individuals’ lived experiences on issues including: maternity/paternity leave; returning to work; returning from career breaks; legal issues & rights; health-related matters; contact before, during and after returning to work; issues faced by those with caring responsibilities and more.

Date/Time: Thursday 4th May, 11:00 am to 12:30/1:00 pm

Venue: RIBA London, Lutyens Room, 66 Portland Place London, W1B 1AD

Speakers & Topic:  

· Welcome and Introduction

Professor Igea Troiani, WIA UK Chair and Head of Division of Architecture at London South Bank University

Maria Loreto Flores, Associate Director Zaha Hadid Architects and WIA UK Committee

·    Parents’ Group Experience

Lisa Delaney, Head of People & Culture tp bennett. Founder of the Architects Parents Group pre-pandemic

·    A Working Mother Experience

Pippa Jacobs, Associate Partner at NJ Architects

·    Women & Mothers leaving Architecture: UK overview

Katie Jecks, Masters Researcher at Cardiff University

·    Working Parents Rights

Kevin Poulter, Partner at Freeths LLP, Legal advisor of the Architects Parents Group pre-pandemic

This is a family-friendly event, babies and toddlers are welcome. This event may be recorded or photographed.This venue is wheelchair and buggy accessible. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or questions at hello@wia-uk.org