EqualEngineers has launched its third Masculinity in Engineering survey, a research initiative aimed at understanding the impact of masculine norms in the engineering profession. This survey builds on findings from previous research in 2018 and 2021.

The UK engineering and technology sectors are heavily male dominated, with men making up over 85% of the workforce. While diversity efforts focus on increasing the number of women in engineering, the survey seeks to explore if the culture of engineering is affected by the stereotype of what an engineer looks like and how men are expected to behave.

The survey also looks to address the issue of mental health, particularly in construction where suicide is the leading cause of death among men under 50. Male construction workers are 3.7 times more likely to die by suicide compared to other professions.   

Mark McBride-Wright MBE CEng FIChemE FEI, Founder and CEO of EqualEngineers, says: “For me, inclusivity in the workplace is a health and safety issue. Not being able to be open about who you are, because of attitudes and lack of diversity around you can lead to mental health issues and decreased wellbeing.

“My hope is for this survey is to capture the voice of men in the engineering and tech industries, individuals who perhaps feel excluded from the focus on diversity and inclusion efforts of organisations. We need to rapidly overhaul the way in which we approach culture change programmes within our industry, and we need to ensure everyone feels included, and is able to find their voice as part of the diversity narrative.”

This survey is open until 28 February 2025. The results will be published in the summer.

For more information and to take part in the survey, visit the EqualEngineers website.