Our work is research-informed to bring industry-specific knowledge and solutions to our clients.

In 2021 Framework Leadership led a comprehensive, national survey on Workplace Culture, Leadership and Inclusion for Canada’s architecture, consulting engineering and interior design firms.

This, along with deep involvement in the industry and additional research projects led by or in partnership with other organizations, informs a unique relevance and awareness to our client communities’ challenges and opportunities.

Methodology

This survey, led by Russell Pollard (he/him), Principal of Framework Leadership, was distributed online through community partner organizations, emails, and social media. Paid, targeted advertising was also employed to broaden reach beyond established networks and mitigate network bias.

The survey was thoughtfully designed to allow for an intersectional understanding of results, considering both personal and professional identity groups. Questions ranged from multiple choice to open-ended, ensuring a comprehensive collection of high-level information as well as personal anecdotes. The survey adopted different pathways based on responses to ensure meaningful data collection among different groups of respondents, including both the employed and unemployed.

Adherence to data collection requirements and privacy considerations were maintained. Our process was built on a foundation of respectful engagement and consent regarding personal experiences. The survey was available in both English and French.

Information Use and Applications

The data collected is intended to support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts within the professions of architecture, consulting engineering, and related fields. Its primary goal is to identify disparities and contribute to the discourse and leadership necessary for meaningful change at the interpersonal, workplace and industry levels.

Credit

When referencing or using data from this survey, please ensure proper attribution. A significant amount of effort was invested in its creation, and proper acknowledgments align with the mission of promoting equity. If you come across this data being used without credit, please provide the link [insert link].

Respondent Overview

Over six hundred professionals participated in this survey. Of the qualified responses, 465 were from employed professionals, while 67 were from jobseekers. Responses that did not fit into these categories (e.g., independent consultants or employers) were excluded from aggregated reporting, although their written responses were incorporated.