Research survey invites architects and allies to reflect on Country-centred national competencies

The second part of a two-part online survey is now open for the Indigenising the Built Environment in Australia (IBEA) research project, which first launched in January last year.

The IBEA survey asks built environment practitioners to share their understanding and experience of processes in the Australian built environment that interact with First Nations issues.

Specifically, this second survey asks participants to reflect on the efficacy of the Country- and First Nations community-related performance criteria within the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA)'s National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA), which was updated in July 2021 to prioritise more meaningful engagement with First Nations people.

The survey is open to students, graduates, teachers, academics, researchers and practitioners working in architecture, as well as those in related fields such as the built environment and community and cultural consultancy. The aim is to gather diverse perspectives to enhance practices in the built environment.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that have recently been involved in project work and representatives from peak bodies - such as the AACA, the Australian Institute of Architects and the Association of Australasian Schools of Architecture - are also encouraged to participate.

Associate Professor Michael Mossman is conducting the survey, which is being jointly funded by the Australian Research Council and the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

After it closes, the survey will be followed by two rounds of yarning workshop sessions to unpack survey topics in more detail. The project will conclude with a 2027 symposium at which the survey results will be revealed.

The survey can be completed online and is open until 30 March 2026.