The Biomodernist: Laboratory Feminism

Despite advancements toward gender equality in various fields, women continue to encounter significant barriers to entry, advancement, and recognition within the sustainable design and built environment profession. It has long been characterized by a noticeable underrepresentation of women through various sectors, facing systemic barriers that hinder their full participation and recognition, and who are often pigeonholed into the softer and “domestic” design disciplines causing long-lasting and far-reaching damaging impacts for the built environment, sustainability, and social justice. Therefore, limiting the entire sustainable design and built environment field not only in the diversity of perspectives, but also perpetuating inequalities in practice, education, policy, and innovation. Acknowledging and addressing women's contributions to sustainable design and the built environment is essential for breaking this cycle of marginalization. This project is an undesigning of the sustainability narrative and explores the underrepresentation of women in sustainable design through a multicultural and regional lens. To address the gender disparities in sustainable design, we conduct in-depth interviews with female leaders within the sustainable design and built environment profession. The project is supported by a UROP and RIO: Arts and Humanities grant.