Melonie Bayl-Smith has been awarded the 2018 Paul Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize at the Australian Institute of Architects National Awards. Melonie is well known amongst her colleagues as an outspoken advocate for architectural education, gender equity and good design.

Melonie is the director of her own architecture practice, Sydney based Bijl Architecutre.  In recognising Melonie, the jury cited her as an exemplary leader for the architecture profession in the broadest sense. The jury praised Melonie for excelling in practice, education, research and policy development over a sustained period. Her mentoring, advocacy and acting as a role model for many students, graduates and emerging architects makes her stand out as a leader in gender equity.

Melonie is an elected member of the NSW Architects Registration Board and has been an Australian Institute of Architects Chapter Councillor in the New South Wales chapter. Melonie has maintained a substantial commitment to excellence in architectural education as an adjunct professor at the University of Technology Sydney School of Architecture. As a member of Women on Boards, Melonie has advocated for improving women’s representation on boards by regularly speaking on this at various industry and non-industry events.

Melonie has been involved with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) since 2005, where she has been an active contributor through mentoring. In 2010 she received the NAWIC International Women’s Day travelling scholarship for her BuildAbility research project, which investigated the future of construction education across Australasia and on an international basis.

Melonie is a worthy recipient of the 2018 Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize and the jury said it looks forward to seeing her advocacy for gender equity continue in the future.

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