I Didn’t Know it was a Thing Either: Women Engineers’ Experience of Suffering in the Workplace

This doctoral research examines the lived experiences of professional women in Calgary’s engineering industry, focusing on the cultural and systemic factors that shape their careers. The study moves beyond simple metrics of representation to explore the "chilly climate" of the profession, characterized by subtle biases and exclusionary norms that create a sense of professional isolation. Through a series of in-depth interviews, the report identifies how women navigate these barriers by negotiating their identities and seeking out supportive networks to survive and thrive. It highlights that the persistence of a male-dominated culture is not merely a pipeline issue but a result of entrenched industry practices. Ultimately, the findings argue that meaningful change requires a structural overhaul of engineering workplace cultures to move beyond performative diversity and foster genuine inclusion.

Credit: Ann-Louise Howard

Date: 2022