Applications have opened for this year’s NAWIC International Women’s Day scholarship. The National Association of Women in Construction has so far used the scholarship each year to push for research and consequent change in an expansive list of areas.

CULT Design, who are involved in a range of national awards programs including the IDEA Awards ‘Designer of the Year’, have funded this year’s scholarship, awarding the winner $16,000 to help fund their research proposal.

‘The quality of research tabled over the past few years has been incredible,” says CULT’s Founder and Director, Richard Munao, “and has covered important topics such as social sustainability practices, pathways for tradeswomen, and urban design for interaction in hospital precincts. These research papers have driven debate and had a measurable impact on women’s leadership opportunities in the construction industry.’

Applicants are encouraged to present ideas challenging existing industry thinking, as well as outlining practical recommendations to reflect their findings.

This year’s scholarship aims to focus on current gender equity initiatives such as the Male Champions of Change Initiative and the WGEA Gendery Pay Gap initiative.

2014’s winner, HASSELL researcher Michaela Sheanan, produced a paper outlining the existing and possible connections that could be designed within and between hospitals to promote initiatives.

2013’s winner, Sydney-based architect Rana Abboud looked at the idea of Augmented Reality and how it can facilitate better design, construction, ideas and maintenance.

Applications will be accepted around Australia until Friday 13^th February 2015.

For more information, visit www.nawic.com.au