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Scholarship awarded for gender equality research project
CM Staff
Claire Mullen receives this year’s Sir Ian Dixon scholarship for her project to engage men as agents of change
Claire Mullen, Sir Robert McAlpine
The 2021/22 Sir Ian Dixon scholarship has been awarded to Claire Mullen, a chief engineer and chair of the gender affinity network at Sir Robert McAlpine.
Mullen was responsible for delivery of the external works on the Battersea phase 3A development. She was the winner of the National Association of Women in Construction Award 2012 and works to promote STEM subjects within schools.
Her scholarship project is titled: ‘Engaging men as agents of change to achieve gender equality in the construction industry’. Across the UK women are underrepresented in the industry: only 4% of tradespeople, 7% of CIOB members and 10% of chartered civil engineers identify as female.
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“My proposal has the potential to effect change not just in the workplace but in society overall – by engaging with everyone”
Claire Mullen
Mullen says a team with differences in gender, background and outlook creates a more resilient workforce capable of withstanding challenges: “My proposal has the potential to effect change not just in the workplace but in society overall – by engaging with everyone it is hoped that a roadmap of gender equality will be set out for future generations.”
Her research will: explore why barriers exist to attract, retain and promote women in the industry; assess the extent of gender inequality and project what the future should look like; and present solutions and a roadmap for a more equitable industry in the UK.
The two 2020/21 Sir Ian Dixon scholars were Mackenzie Thompson and Eugene Healy.
Eugene Healy (left) and Mackenzie Thompson, last year’s Sir Ian Dixon scholars
Thompson’s research was ‘How can temporary towns and architecture provide a place of architectural quality whilst temporarily being on a site?’ She graduated in July 2019 with a degree in architecture and now works as a Part I architectural assistant focusing on the retail and residential sector.
Healy explored ‘Creating value through contractor design in large scale infrastructure projects.’ He works as an associate architect and has spent the last 10 years in architectural consultancy delivering the designs for rail and infrastructure projects for HS2, Crossrail, Thames Tideway and Network Rail. He currently leads a number of infrastructure projects for Weston Williamson architects.
The January/February 2026 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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