2 minute read
SCHOLARSHIP
The NAWIC International Women’s Day (IWD) Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2009. Supported by our generous, long-term sponsors CULT and MPA Projects, the research scholarship is the most significant award of its kind for female professionals working in the construction industry. The IWD Scholarship provides $20,000 in funding for a female NAWIC member to carry out a project or research to challenge or change current industry thinking. This year’s scholarship was increased to include all aspects of the construction process, from improvements in construction methodology to the exploration of policy issues, such as the participation of women in the construction industry. Kristine Scheul, NAWIC’s National Chairperson, explained why the 2021 scholarship was approached a little differently. “We extended the reach of the scholarship to include the full range of diversity of our membership and to ensure it remains a vehicle for individual development as well as one for improvement of the construction industry as a whole.” The theme of IWD this year was #ChooseToChallenge. NAWIC embraced this theme as part of the judging process. As Kristine further explained, “Collectively we can challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, celebrate women’s achievements and improve the situation for women in the industry. A challenged world is an alert world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.”
EMMA GEORGIOU - THE 2021 IWD SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
This year the NAWIC IWD Scholarship was awarded to Emma Georgiou, Senior Specialist, Programs at Acciona. Emma’s proposal titled Challenging norms in recruitment for construction: Redefining the talent pool to increase women’s representation at all levels, was chosen for its potential to be meaningful to a range of participants in the industry from small businesses through to Tier 1 construction companies. Upon the announcement at the NAWIC NSW IWD Breakfast held at the CULT Design Showroom on 11 March 2021, Emma said she was honoured to be the recipient of the scholarship. “I am so excited to embark upon this research with NAWIC and can’t wait to share the journey of this work with our industry as it unfolds over the course of the year. From challenge comes change, and it is my hope that this research will challenge the construction industry to reframe its view of talent and in doing so, both ensure women’s fullest participation in the industry and take a leading position in the recovery of the Australian economy and the long-term advancement of women in this country.”
Kristine Scheul and Emma Georgiou at the NAWIC NSW IWD Breakfast
Emma Georgiou’s IWD Scholarship Research Report will be available in March, 2022. To find out more about the NAWIC IWD Scholarship visit nawic.com.au
