The National Association of Women in Construction has given out its yearly IWD scholarship which awards $20,000 to a woman who is focused on contributing towards the enhancement of women’s careers in the building and construction industry.

NSW-based Emma Georgiou is this year’s winner with her submission, Challenging norms in recruitment for Construction: Redefining the talent pool to increase women’s representation at all levels.

“Emma’s proposal was chosen for the potential of the research to be meaningful to a range of participants in the industry from small businesses through to T1 builders,” NAWIC national chair Kristine Scheul says.

“It also had excellent alignment with NAWIC’s values and in further broadcasting and extrapolating these to the wider industry.”

She adds that Emma stood out during the process as she brought both her expertise and lived experience to her research.

Emma plans to focus her research around the question, ‘Can the construction industry reframe its perspective of a female “talent pool” so it turns into an ocean of non-traditional talent, which benefits not only the industry but the economic advancement of women in Australia and the wider economy?’

“I am so honoured and 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,” Emma says of the win.

“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.”

The Judge’s citation also commended Emma on her research proposal, stating: “Emma’s ambitious research proposal has the potential to broaden the construction industry’s perception of the range of skills that women can bring to the workforce. The committee commends her on a well-rounded proposal with both academic rigour and industry relevance.”