The concept of intersection has given society a new way to understand identity. It has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and others in our workplaces. For engineers, it can inform how projects are designed, and how they meet the needs of diverse users.

The concept was developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw, and draws on her analysis of a 1970s discrimination claim brought by Emma DeGraffenreid. DeGraffenreid’s potential employer had successfully defended the claim, by pointing out that it was not racist—it employed Black men in production—and was not sexist—it employed white women in administration. But as a Black woman, DeGraffenreid was discriminated against due to the intersection of these two aspects of her identity.

Crenshaw’s work seeks to inform the justice system. But her insight that discrimination can be shaped by multiple facets of our complex identities, has much wider implications. In this episode, we consider what this view of identity means for engineering workplaces, and the work engineers deliver.

Guests

Claire Sarafilovic, director, project and programme services, AtkinsRéalis

Rebecca Crowther, ED&I lead for the UK and Ireland, AtkinsRéalis

Adam Lawrence, associate acoustician, AtkinsRéalis; chair, HSP Support Group

References

Kimberlé Crenshaw TED talk on The urgency of intersectionality

Partner

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies. Employing over 18,000 people across the UK, North America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe, AtkinsRéalis uses the latest technology to deliver major capital projects, and provide expert consultancy for clients across the energy, transportation and infrastructure sectors.

The post #279 Intersection, Identity, and Engineering first appeared on Engineering Matters.