Women in ADBE event at NTU created an opportunity for "meaningful conversations"

On Thursday 29 January, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) held a special event that put the emphasis on women's voices and experiences, serving as a celebration of the achievements of its female students and alumni as well as a reminder of some of the challenges faced in what are still male-dominated industries.

Conceived as an opportunity for discussions and networking, the Women in ADBE event featured panel discussions, personal reflections, and Q&A sessions that highlighted career journeys, barriers in the industry, and strategies for supporting women entering these fields.

Among the panellists at the event was Naomi Brown, an NTU alumni and graduate of the Nottingham Law School, who said:

"Nottingham Trent University has supported me at key stages of my career by opening doors and creating opportunities that have shaped my path. Being able to come back and pay that forward truly means a great deal to me."

The event began with an introduction from Holly Mills, qualified architect and a senior lecturer at NTU, who also serves as Athena Swan Champion for ADBE. Setting the tone for the event, she spoke of the importance of creating spaces that can amplify women's voices in the built environment and design sectors, acknowledging the challenges in industry and the need for events such as Women in ADBE to provide students with practical advice and career insights.

Speaking  afterwards, she said:

"Our two panels, featuring inspiring NTU alumni and industry professionals, led lively, thought‑provoking discussions that left me genuinely energised. It was fantastic to see so many meaningful conversations taking place throughout the evening. I’m also delighted that a number of students have already signed up to the NTU Women’s Development Programme, motivated by what they heard at the event!"

The full list of panellists was as follows:

• Naomi Brown, Award Winning Director of S Brown Paving
• Kavya Jain, NTU Product Design alumni and Founder of Sensei, winner of Innovate UK Award
• Gracia Anyiam-Osigwe, NTU Property Development & Planning alumni and Founder of Bloom and Build Collective
• Charlotte Judge, NTU Civil Engineering alumni and Graduate Design Manager at Morgan Sindall
• Sophie Harwood, NTU Degree Apprentice and Assistant Structural Engineer at Arup
• Sanara Jayasena, MSc Structural Engineering alumni and Structural Engineer at Arthur Consultancy Services
• Amy Clarke, NTU QSCCM alumni and Senior Cost Consultant at Arcadis
• Orla Conneely, Architectural Assistant at 24/Three Architecture

The event was well-attended and generated plenty of discussion regarding some of the challenges for women entering the built environment and design sector, but the final message participants were left with was one of empowerment. Following the event, many posted positive comments on LinkedIn. Below are some highlights:

"Seeing such capable women collectively exploring the hope present in the change occurring is truly inspiring. The panellists Kavya Jain, Amy Clarke, Naomi Brown, Gracia Anyiam-Osigwe, Charlotte Judge, Sophie Harwood and Orla Conneely gave their honest perspectives on their present work experience and how it is headed towards change."

"This event's impact really surprised me as I have came away with a completely different view on what I am capable of.  After my talk with Gracia Anyiam-Osigwe I will now be looking into an entrepreneurial career path. To take the next steps in this journey we have decided to join The Bloom And Build Collective and the Women’s Development Programme."

"The speakers were very inspiring and informative... I’ve definitely gained more knowledge about navigating my future career and place in the industry."

Thanks to colleagues in the School, Liz Radice-Smith, SFHEA, Chris Jones and Laura Rugadza for organising the event.

You can watch a short video about Women in ADBE on our ADBE LinkedIn or Instagram.