A framework to break barriers to gender equality in construction organisations by adapting to human-centric digital transformation

About this project 

Female representation in the Australian construction industry is only 14% in 2023. Gender-based differential treatment is one of the main reasons that Australian construction sector has become unattractive to female workers (NSW Women in Construction Report, 2024). Malaysian and Nigerian research justifies the possible transformation of the ‘traditional’ system of construction into a ‘smart’ and ‘gender equal’ system with digital applications. Such transformation will pave the way for smart and flexible workspaces, personalised training, reduced physical barriers on site, unbiased recruitment practices, safer workplaces and so on, creating equal access to resources and opportunities in construction for females as men.

Thus, this research aims to develop a framework for creating effective gender equality strategies in construction organisations that enhance female participation by employing human-centric digital applications. This will involve analysing work-related barriers that hinder the attraction, recruitment, retention and promotion of female construction workers related to diverse on-site and off-site job roles and evaluating suitable digital application scenarios to overcome those.

The aim will be approached through a sequential qualitative research process.
In Stage 1, a qualitative case study will be conducted using construction organisations as cases to identify work-related barriers. Interviews with female construction workers, supervisors and managers related to the different job roles and organisational scenarios will be used as the data collection technique.
At Stage 2, focus group discussions with experts such as IT experts, project managers, construction managers, and human resource managers will be used to evaluate the appropriate digital application scenarios to overcome such barriers and create gender equality.
Stage 3 will involve developing and validating the framework using a desk study and expert interviews, respectively.

Federal Budget 2024-25 declared that the Government will invest an amount of $55.6 million over the next 4 years in the new Building Women’s Careers program related to male-dominated industries, including Construction. So, this research also aligns with the national priority of building careers for women and the research outcome will inform their initiatives.
Industry advisors for this project will be involved from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland and CPB Contractors. CPB Contractors is a well-known women-friendly construction company owing to their initiatives such as women in construction programme and the world’s first all-women Tunnel Boring Machine crew.

What you’ll do 

The main output of this research is a framework to be used in construction organisational context for creating effective gender equality strategies employing human-centric digital application scenarios. The framework will include a map of different job roles, organisational and project processes, and suitable digital application scenarios for decision-making.

Currently, the construction sector is under massive pressure to find the missing workforce (0.5 million workers needed by 2029). Women are considered an ‘untapped resource’ to match this gap (Workforce Blueprint, Master Builders Australia, 2023). The developed framework will help construction organisations in the sector to rethink and reengineer their organisational and project processes to create female-friendly job-roles and attract females to fill worker gaps. 

All organisations with more than 100 workers are struggling to improve gender equality parameters demanded in the compulsory annual reporting requirements of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. This framework will help construction organisations bring positive amendments to their gender equality policies to accommodate digital transformation to improve equality and meet gender equality targets.

Despite the possible advantages, even ‘Women in construction’ strategies in the Australian States (eg: Victoria) do not expressively consider digital transformation to create gender equality. This research will provide evidence to update such policies.

Where you’ll be based 

Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management (SIRM)

Dr. Aparna Samaraweera is from Construction Management discipline. She brings expertise in the area – ‘Gender Equity in Construction’ to project, through a recently completed C3 project. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, secured $130K in research funding and is currently co-supervising 4 PhD students with 1 completion.  

Associate Professor Nicholas Chileshe has extensive experience in research training and mentoring, having supervised 18 PhD students to completion. He will bring expertise in research methodological design in social science research to guide this project. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed journals up to date. 

Dr. Udara Ranasinghe’s research mainly focuses on construction technology, safety behaviour, and worker mental health. She also brings strong expertise in social science research methods and practices. 

Dr Salwa Mohd Ishak is a senior lecturer in CPM. Her research interests are digital technology adoption and the intersection between humans and technology in the built environment, which aligns with the proposed project. 

Associate Professor Rhodora Abadia is the Associate Dean for UniSA Online. Her background in AI, adaptive learning, and data analytics, combined with research on technology-enhanced learning and persuasive technologies, will offer valuable insights into the proposed project. She is currently supervising 2 PhD students. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses.  A fee offset for the standard term of the program is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Additionally, any Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant who holds an offer of admission without a living allowance will be eligible for the Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship. This scholarship is to the value of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). Any Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship recipient will also receive a fee waiver. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection 

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• This project requires qualitative data collection and analysis skills

Applicants who can also demonstrate the following will be highly regarded:

• A qualification in Construction Management or related discipline is preferred.  
• An additional qualification in Information Technology or related area will add value

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes Campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates

 Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Monday 10 March 2025.