Publications
Journal articles
Latest
Dossier - The Wellbeing of Architects
In a major, nationwide survey of practitioners, The Wellbeing of Architects research project reveals how we’re tracking. This dossier, originally published in Architecture Australia Sep/Oct 2022, offers a snapshot of the survey’s key findings and attempts to contextualize and interpret some of the data gathered.
Guest editors Naomi Stead, Maryam Gusheh and Byron Kinnaird provide an overview of the current situation and envision the promises of a better future, if we can pull together.
Latest
Well-being in Architectural Education: Theory-building, Reflexive Methodology, and the 'Hidden Curriculum'
This paper reflects critically upon a series of pilot interviews, exploring the concept of a ‘hidden curriculum’ in architecture, and proposes a theoretical framework within which we might understand, rethink, and revalue well-being in architectural education and the profession.
The paper suggests that the aspects of the discipline which are protective of mental health and well-being are inextricably entangled with the aspects which are problematic, and that reform in education cannot simply look to dismantle disciplinary codes or deliver more skills in good business practice. The paper proposes that the intersection of the two would lead to substantial reform in pedagogy, and in practice, to the benefit of all.
Other publications
The Wellbeing of Architects 2023 Student Survey, Primary Report
We can now report the findings of the major survey of wellbeing of architectural students in Australia, undertaken in 2023.
The Wellbeing of Architects 2023 Practitioner Survey, Primary Report
We are pleased to share the important findings from the follow up survey of work-related wellbeing of practitioners in the Australian architecture profession, undertaken in 2023.
The Wellbeing of Architects: Report on Focus Groups with Practitioners
This report presents the findings of a series of focus groups conducted between May and June 2022, with people working in the architecture profession in Australia, and addressing work related wellbeing for this group.
The Wellbeing of Architects: Report on Focus Groups with Students
This report presents the findings of a series of focus groups conducted with students studying architecture in April 2022. The topic of discussion was how their wellbeing was affected by their study, and what suggestions they had for improving the wellbeing of people studying architecture.
Do architects feel well at work?
In this article, Byron Kinnaird reflects on the early findings of the Wellbeing of Architects survey of practitioners completed in 2021. The results indicated that people who participated in the survey had a significantly lower than-average quality of life compared with Australian norms, with low personal wellbeing scores, elevated levels of psychological distress, and higher-than-average levels of burnout.
The cost of caring
In this article, Byron Kinnaird and Liz Battiston share some of the findings of the Wellbeing of Architects survey of practitioners completed in 2021, including some direct examples of what practitioners had to say about the wellbeing in architecture, and what they thought could be done to improve the situation.
The Wellbeing of Architects 2021 Practitioner Survey, Primary Report
We are pleased to share the important findings of the first major survey of work-related wellbeing of practitioners in the Australian architecture profession, undertaken in 2021.
The Wellbeing of Architects 2021 Student Survey, Primary Report
We can now report the findings of the major survey of wellbeing of architectural students in Australia, undertaken in 2021.
Valuing architecture key to improving work-related wellbeing, researchers find
The research team reports on the landmark survey of work-related wellbeing in architecture that has found that architects feel systemically misunderstood and under-appreciated, leading to long hours, deadline pressures and inadequate pay conditions.
Read the article here
Work-related Wellbeing – Initial Findings
Monash University Professor of Architecture Naomi Stead provides an update on the three-year, Australian Research Council–funded research project about the wellbeing of practitioners and students in architecture, with an emphasis on some early findings of the recent practitioner survey.
Read the article here
Work-related mental wellbeing in architecture
In contrast to many other professions, the architecture profession knows relatively little about the mental wellbeing of its practitioners. And yet, in a sector as complex and paradoxical as this, in an age in which mental illness is so common, an examination of the relationship between work and wellbeing appears crucial. Just as we have begun to address gender equity issues in architecture in Australia, it is time to get the facts straight on mental health so that we can act accordingly.
Read the article here
Video
Research Update: Findings so far
A discussion of the initial findings from the Wellbeing of Architects research project, hosted by Justine Clark for Parlour. Naomi Stead, Byron Kinnaird and Tracey Shea outline preliminary findings with a focus on the dissemination of the data collected in the major practitioner survey.
Research Update: Pilot interviews
Naomi Stead and Maryam Gusheh chat with Justine Clark about the findings of the pilot interviews conducted as part of the Wellbeing of Architects research project.
Wellbeing of Architects: Survey#1
Naomi Stead and Justine Clark introduce the first survey for the Wellbeing of Architects: culture, identity + practice research project.