Society of Women's Engineers Partners with Arup to Provide Limited-Edition Workplace Diversity Tool

CHICAGO, July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Diversity is the driver of innovation in the workplace, a core message the Society of Women Engineers is proud to promote through a partnership with Arup. SWE is partnering with the global multidisciplinary engineering, design and consulting firm to present the Diversity and Inclusion Knowledge Cards, an invaluable set of tools for organizations and companies looking for best practices designed to explore the value of diversity in the workplace.

"Because of our cultural backgrounds and upbringings, it's often difficult to understand what diversity means in the workplace, as well as why it's crucial for progress," said Karen Horting, SWE's executive director and CEO. "It's our pleasure to provide a resource and tools for organizations committed to creating an inclusive environment."

The knowledge cards feature provocative questions, summaries of current research, and intriguing data points to start conversations in the workplace and beyond. The thought-provoking resource gives businesses a means to begin meaningful change in their organizational structures by welcoming more perspectives at every level. Each card revolves around a key aspect of identifying the unconscious biases prevalent in the engineering industry in North America.

"Arup originally created the cards to allow our members to more easily access research results proving the existence of common unconscious biases," said Erin McConahey, principal at Arup, and diversity and inclusion advocate for the Americas. "We found that the data opened the door for analytical people to talk about difficult topics and share personal stories." 

The limited-edition cards are now available for organizations interested in participating in an exclusive pilot project opportunity. Individual card decks can be purchased by going to SWE's website, swe.org, and visiting the SWE Store, or by contacting SWE directly at [email protected]. Also available are three activities accompanied by guidelines on how to leverage the cards in your own group setting. Activities and more information about this initiative can be found at swe.org/diknowledge.

About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Its engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world. Arup opened its first US office 25 years ago, and now employs 1,000 in the Americas. The firm was founded in 1946 with an enduring set of values that fosters a distinctive culture, intellectual independence and collaborative approach. The people at Arup are driven to find a better way to deliver better solutions for their clients. (www.arup.com)

About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and receive the recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society please visit www.swe.org or call (312) 596-5223.
 

For further information please contact:

Rebecca Maloney, LEED AP, CPSM
Arup
e [email protected]
m +1 617 412-6632

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SOURCE Arup