US architects say the lack of women keynote speakers at the American Institute of Architects’ upcoming annual conference in Orlando is an “outrage”.
Fifty architects, firms and students have signed a letter sent to the Architect’s Newspaper, highlighting the fact that no female architects are billed to give major presentations at the event.
The 2017 AIA National Convention is due to take place in at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from 27 to 29 April.
Of the seven keynote speakers currently listed, only one is a woman, and the letter points out that Amy Cuddy – a Harvard professor and best-selling author – is not an architect.
“The keynote panel is in no way representative of our collective intellect,” says the letter.
“If the AIA was serious about changing its image – and we do not mean a superficial marketing strategy – then they should lead the profession and put forward a panel of keynote speakers that is reflective of the diversity in architecture.”