Championing Gender Equity: The Story of Architect Josephine Neill

As we recognize Women’s History Month, we honour the women who have made significant contributions to society and advocate for gender equity. Josephine Neill , an architect based in Arcadis IBI Group's London, UK office, is one of the many inspiring women who is pushing boundaries and breaking barriers in the construction industry.

Over her four years at Arcadis IBI Group, Josephine’s project responsibilities have steadily increased and she now plays an integral role as an architect within the Healthcare+ team. Currently, she is working on a large Acute, Maternity and Children's Centre at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where she is responsible for navigating the challenges that come from having a large project in construction.

Outside of her project work, Josephine sits on the New London Architecture Expert Panel for Healthcare, is an active member of the Women in Architecture network and was previously the London Representative for UK Corporate Social Responsibility. Josephine is also passionate about implementing circular economy principles within design and is part of the Architect's Climate Action Network social media and communications team.

Navigating the challenges of being a woman in the construction industry has not been an easy journey for Josephine. Before joining Arcadis IBI Group, she experienced sexual harassment, gender discrimination and bullying. Josephine shares, "learning how to handle these situations was a very difficult process and hindsight is a difficult regret to carry! Sexism, whether intentional or not, would often catch me off guard, and I wasn't equipped to respond in a way that listened, questioned and educated through conversation. I decided I needed to upskill myself in feminism and it has been one of the best things I have done both for my career and my personal life." She surrounded herself with conversations that questioned institutionalized bias, from books to podcasts to becoming a devout listener of Women's Hour. Over time, Josephine has begun to see a shift in her ability to tackle the obstacles that women in the construction industry face, which has accelerated her confidence and allowed her to feel empowered in her day-to-day life.

"It's really frustrating that in 2023 women still have to arm themselves with the tools to challenge gender inequality. Until this isn't necessary, we will continue to fight for a welcoming and equitable construction industry," adds Josephine.

Her experiences have taught her valuable lessons about handling challenges and obstacles in her career, and she has some advice for other women looking to advance in their careers. Josephine suggests building confidence in networking and incremental growth towards public speaking in the beginning stages of one's career. She encourages women to allow their understanding of the constraints and opportunities within their sector to develop not only through practical experience but also by delving into academic research, podcasts, books and conversations. Josephine says that being contextually aware and passionate about learning about the lived experience of the people they design for has made her a more thoughtful, versatile architect and has accelerated her value within the teams she works with.

Josephine Neill is a true inspiration, and her journey highlights the challenges that women face in the construction industry. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us continue to support and advocate for gender equity in all industries.