Understanding women's experiences of construction education: A need for longitudinal research?

Although more than 50% of successful applicants to Welsh HEIs were female, less than 1% attended built environment (BE) programmes. An increased percentage of females attending BE programmes should reflect more women at the coal face . A connected study reported poor careers advice, inappropriate work experience, inadequate peer support and a general lack of knowledge of the industry. What other forces are at play? What perceptions, expectations and experiences emerge during BE higher education? As a forerunner to a longitudinal study, a pilot investigation through questionnaire was employed to test opinions of female students attending BE courses in South Wales; investigating their experience of higher education to date. However, the questionnaires provided clear evidence of an inherent weakness in the method of personal information gathering; the responses generally imprecise or too brief to gain a rounded understanding and causal direction of respondents experiences. A view provided in a previous cross-sectional study, providing snapshots of participant's views not providing depth or an overall picture of the issues. This research aims to implement a longitudinal study of women's experience over the life of their programmes to ascertain how participant s experiences, views and expectations change through the course of their studies. The preliminary findings and shortcomings encountered with the questionnaire are provided, and the reasons for further questioning that will employ face-to-face open-ended questioning and discussion. The final, long-term analysis will hopefully build a better understanding of female student experiences and ultimately consider possible implications for BE education.